Martin Luther King CommUNITY of Greater Kennett Area
“Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” Martin Luther King, Jr., March for Integrated Schools, April 18, 1959.
Dr. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham is keynote speaker for 2025 MLK Day
Dr. Higginbotham, noted American historian is Chair of African American Studies at Harvard University
On January 20, 2025, everyone is invited to join us in honoring the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. You will be among a diverse audience comprised of public officials, clergy, students from local high schools, Lincoln University students and staff, and guests from the Southern Chester County community commemorating this national holiday. Our 2025 theme is: "We STILL have a dream!".
The day will begin with our Annual Fellowship Brunch where old and new friends will enjoy a sumptuous brunch, followed by a program of civil rights inspired choir performances, readings from Dr. King's sermons and letters and keynote address. After brunch, you are invited to participate in our "Be A King" Volunteer Fair, Tours of the campus, exhibitions and vendors will also be available. "Early Bird" discount tickets are now available here.
Our keynote speaker will be historian, Dr. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, professor of Afro-American Studies, African American Religion and the Victor S. Thomas Professor of History and African American Studies at Harvard University. Dr. Higginbotham has been a tenured faculty member at Harvard since 1993, and she chaired the Department of African and African Americans Studies from 2006-2013. Higginbotham became the National President of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History in January 2016. This organization was founded by Carter G. Woodson in 1915.
She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in American History, her M.A. from Howard University, and her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has thoroughly revised and re-written the classic African American history survey From Slavery to Freedom, which was first published by John Hope Franklin in 1947. She is the co-author with the late John Hope Franklin of this book’s ninth edition, which came out in 2010. A pioneering scholar in African American women’s history, she is the author of the prizewinning book Righteous Discontent: The Women’s Movement in the Black Baptist Church 1880-1920. She is also co-editor with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., of the African American National Biography, now in its second edition (2013). This twelve-volume resource presents African American history through the lives of more than 5,000 biographical entries.
Following the Fellowship Brunch, everyone can participate in our "Be A King" Volunteer Fair. Community organizations will be on hand to show and tell about opportunities to serve, address needs, improve lives, bridge social barriers and move closer to the "Beloved Community" that Dr,. King envisioned for our communities in Southern Chester County.
We invite you to click on red button or green tickets to register for this important event commemorating the birthday of Dr. King.
Please view the tabs for our Change for Change event at Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union on Saturday, January 18, 2024. We are asking the community to bring loose change (or dollars) during the hours of 10 am and 1 pm. to help feed the hungry in our area.
Everyone is also invited to the Kennett Library on Sunday, January 19, 2024, from 1:30 to 3:30 for a free film and discussion about the civil rights movement. You are also invited to the MLK Eve Worship Service at 7:00 pm at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, 401 N. Union Street, Kennett Square on Sunday evening, January 19, 2024. The service will feature the Kennett Community Choir under the direction of Leon Spencer and Joan Holliday.
Parking note: On MLK Observance at Lincoln University on Monday, January 20, 2024, there will be ample parking in the area of the Wellness Center (parking lot G), Hansberry Hall (parking lot K) and Apartment Style Living Residence (parking lot H). The LU Security Staff at the main entrance will direct guests to the parking lots. MLK and Lincoln University yard signs were placed along the drive from the Main Entrance to the Wellness Center. Any questions regarding parking directed to Charles Ricketts, LU Events, at 917-745-6333.
The day will begin with our Annual Fellowship Brunch where old and new friends will enjoy a sumptuous brunch, followed by a program of civil rights inspired choir performances, readings from Dr. King's sermons and letters and keynote address. After brunch, you are invited to participate in our "Be A King" Volunteer Fair, Tours of the campus, exhibitions and vendors will also be available. "Early Bird" discount tickets are now available here.
Our keynote speaker will be historian, Dr. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, professor of Afro-American Studies, African American Religion and the Victor S. Thomas Professor of History and African American Studies at Harvard University. Dr. Higginbotham has been a tenured faculty member at Harvard since 1993, and she chaired the Department of African and African Americans Studies from 2006-2013. Higginbotham became the National President of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History in January 2016. This organization was founded by Carter G. Woodson in 1915.
She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in American History, her M.A. from Howard University, and her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has thoroughly revised and re-written the classic African American history survey From Slavery to Freedom, which was first published by John Hope Franklin in 1947. She is the co-author with the late John Hope Franklin of this book’s ninth edition, which came out in 2010. A pioneering scholar in African American women’s history, she is the author of the prizewinning book Righteous Discontent: The Women’s Movement in the Black Baptist Church 1880-1920. She is also co-editor with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., of the African American National Biography, now in its second edition (2013). This twelve-volume resource presents African American history through the lives of more than 5,000 biographical entries.
Following the Fellowship Brunch, everyone can participate in our "Be A King" Volunteer Fair. Community organizations will be on hand to show and tell about opportunities to serve, address needs, improve lives, bridge social barriers and move closer to the "Beloved Community" that Dr,. King envisioned for our communities in Southern Chester County.
We invite you to click on red button or green tickets to register for this important event commemorating the birthday of Dr. King.
Please view the tabs for our Change for Change event at Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union on Saturday, January 18, 2024. We are asking the community to bring loose change (or dollars) during the hours of 10 am and 1 pm. to help feed the hungry in our area.
Everyone is also invited to the Kennett Library on Sunday, January 19, 2024, from 1:30 to 3:30 for a free film and discussion about the civil rights movement. You are also invited to the MLK Eve Worship Service at 7:00 pm at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, 401 N. Union Street, Kennett Square on Sunday evening, January 19, 2024. The service will feature the Kennett Community Choir under the direction of Leon Spencer and Joan Holliday.
Parking note: On MLK Observance at Lincoln University on Monday, January 20, 2024, there will be ample parking in the area of the Wellness Center (parking lot G), Hansberry Hall (parking lot K) and Apartment Style Living Residence (parking lot H). The LU Security Staff at the main entrance will direct guests to the parking lots. MLK and Lincoln University yard signs were placed along the drive from the Main Entrance to the Wellness Center. Any questions regarding parking directed to Charles Ricketts, LU Events, at 917-745-6333.
