Martin Luther King Jr.: Live the Dream

Plans were announced for the third annual Martin Luther King Day “Live the Dream” program.  The program includes a series of events scheduled to celebrate and commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Four events in Waukesha County have been planned for the month of January.  The events include:

Lead the Dream

This luncheon, held on January 21, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. will celebrate, recognize, and share the best practices of our business and community organizations in championing Dr. King’s dream for a world accepting of diversity.  It will be held at Waukesha County Technical College’s (WCTC) Pewaukee campus Richard T. Anderson (RTA) Education Center.  The event will include a keynote address from Enrique E. Figueroa, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director of the Roberto Hernandez Center and Assistant to the Provost for Latino Affairs at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and examples of best practices in supporting diversity from the business, non-profit, government and education communities.  Attendees are encouraged to bring food donations that will go to WCTC’s Campus Cupboard.  Tickets for the luncheon are $30 per person (tables of 6), and attendees can register at: www.waukesha.org. 

See the Dream

This event will be held on January 21, 2013 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., prior to the Lead the Dream luncheon at WCTC.  The program will begin with an experiential exercise in diversity and include in-depth discussion on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his vision for a nation accepting and encouraging of diversity.  Attendees are encouraged to bring food donations that will go to WCTC’s Campus Cupboard.

Build the Dream

This leadership program brings together County middle school leaders and their teachers and advisors to explore leadership and diversity issues that tie into Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision.  This year’s program will feature presenter Jeff Yalden.

The 5th annual event will focus on tenants of Dr. King’s vision – including civility and respect.  Through an interactive workshop, students will be encouraged to explore what Dr. King’s message means to them and the impact it can have on their lives at school and at home.

Check-in is at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 28, 2013, with the program beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the Richard T. Anderson Center on the campus of WCTC.  Lunch and small group activities follow the presentation. Please RSVP by January 21, 2013, by calling 262-691-5302.  

Feed the Dream

This county-wide food drive and service project around Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day will inspire youth to serve their communities and raise awareness about hunger in Waukesha County.  United Way in Waukesha County will be assisting school districts throughout the County as they coordinate food drives between December 3rd and January 21st.  Students will collect food and then count, sort, pack, and label boxes for delivery to their hometown food pantries. Through this project, youth will be empowered to solve community problems and create lasting change.

The sponsors of the events are The NAACP – Waukesha County Branch, WCTC, Waukesha County, the Waukesha County Business Alliance and the United Way in Waukesha County.  The coalition’s mission is to bring communities together to celebrate, raise awareness of, and live the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his vision of tolerance, acceptance, unity, peace, and social justice.

For more information on the Live the Dream initiative, or any of the events, please visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/mlkday.