Event Goal
To coordinate several major events during the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday weekend (January 13-16, 2006) that will emphasize positive youth development in education, athletics, and entertainment. These events will reflect the spirit of Dr. King and will focus on the non-violent principals exemplified in his life.
Event History
In January of 2002, Lawrence D. Whitman and Associates coordinated the first annual “MLK Peace Weekend” sponsored by American Family Insurance. The “MLK Peace Weekend” is a coordinated series of events over the four days that precede the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday. The weekend featured four days of events that highlighted the spirit and principles of Dr. King. There was a Kick-off Reception, the Historically Black College Fair, a National High School Basketball Classic and Brunch and the MLK “Peace Jam” concert featuring the popular R&B singer, Kenny Lattimore. The United Parcel Service was also a sponsor for the “Peace Weekend” as thousands of participants, (including families, parents and their children) from across Chicago and the Midwest attended the events. There was also radio, television, and newspaper coverage of the “Peace Weekend” activities.
-In January of 2003 the second annual “Peace Weekend” was held. Target Corporation and the United Negro College Fund contributed to our efforts as major sponsors along with American Family Insurance. The college fair drew 14,000 participants over two days at Chicago’s Navy Pier. The high school basketball classic drew over 7,000 fans and 12 teams from across the country and the weekend culminated with a sold out concert, the “Peace Jam” at the Park West Theater. Again there was excellent radio, television and newspaper coverage of all the “Peace Weekend” events.
-In January of 2004, the third annual MLK Peace Weekend was held at various locations across the Chicago-land area. The 2004 Peace Weekend again featured the National High School Basketball Classic and this year 20 teams from across the country participated and over 10,000 people attended the three-day tournament. The 2004 Gospel Peace Jam was a tremendous success and featured performances by gospel legends “The Edwin Hawkins Singers” and “The Queen of Gospel”, Albertina Walker.
-In 2005, the fourth annual MLK Peace Weekend events for the first time included a Youth Talent Showcase in conjunction with the Harold Washington Cultural Center. The MLK National High School Basketball Classic grew to over 40 top girls and boys teams from across the United States. As part of the 2005 MLK Peace Weekend activities, the Proviso-Leyden Council for Community Action, Inc. hosted it’s annual fundraising gala at the Rosemont Theater in Rosemont, Illinois featuring the legendary R&B group “The Dells”. The event proceeds went towards supporting much needed services to children and families in the west side and west suburban communities of Chicago. The culminating highlight event of the 2005 MLK Peace Weekend was our sold out MLK Peace Jam featuring Grammy-Awarding winning vocalist “India.Arie”. The capacity crowd enjoyed an evening of positive, uplifting music that celebrated the spirit of Dr. King. A portion of the concert proceeds went toward scholarships for needy and deserving students presented by Whitman & Associates and our sponsors that evening. For more information on the events, log on to our website at www.MLKPeaceWeekend.com.
© 2005 MLK Peace Weekend