Martin Luther King Jr. Day to be full of celebration

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is supposed to be "a day on, not a day off," but even though many in Bloomington will not be at their jobs, they will still be strengthening the community.\nBloomington's theme for the MLK Jr. Day celebration is "you can make a difference," said Barbara Fuqua, the chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King Commission, and people inspired by King will be trying to make a difference here in Bloomington.\nTo highlight these efforts and the legacy of King, Bloomington is holding a celebration at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater at 7:30 p.m. Monday. The celebration will feature a variety of entertainment, including a performance by the IU African American Choral Ensemble and a speech by Mayor Mark Kruzan.\nThe winner of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award, which recognizes a person who has made significant contributions in the area of race relations, justice and human rights, will be announced at the celebration as well.\nBefore the celebration, a reception will be held at 6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church to honor the winners of a Web page design contest inspired by King. The reception will be catered and is open to the public at no cost.\nMLK Jr. Day is significant because it is important people do not forget King's vision of equality and justice, Fuqua said. Without this holiday, young people could forget all that King accomplished, she said.\nWhile race relations in Bloomington are better than in most parts of Indiana, a lot of work is still needed, said Amy Dowell, executive director of Community Justice and Mediation Center. \nOn MLK Jr. Day, the center is holding a forum to discuss ways race relations can be improved in Bloomington. To participate in the forum, call the center beforehand at 336-8677 because space is limited.\n"These kinds of things should go on all year long. Martin Luther King Day gives us an opportunity to take extra action," Dowell said.\nThe Coalition for Leadership and Professional Excellence is starting a program Jan. 14 that will encourage minority youth to get interested in engineering, entrepreneurship, financial planning, law and politics.\nThis program is part of King's dream that everyone would be free to obtain their goal, said Tiffani Cannon, one of the leaders of the mentoring program.\n"He worked, even risked his life, so his children's children could live his dream," Cannon said.\nTo see more opportunities to volunteer on MLK Jr. Day Jr., visit www.bloomington.in.gov/cfrd.