Rockville’s 46th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 15 at Richard Montgomery High School, 250 Richard Montgomery Drive.
The celebration will include multicultural performances, awards and a keynote speech by Marcia Chatelain, an associate professor of history and African-American studies at Georgetown University and the author of “South Side Girls: Growing up in the Great Migration.” The program’s theme of “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” will reflect on how today’s community leaders demonstrate many of the characteristics of King, to confront challenges and strengthen their community. In addition to the program, there will be information booths from a variety of organizations, with activities and an opportunity to register to vote.
The City of Rockville’s Human Rights Commission will present three awards as part of the celebration. The Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Award honors a Rockville high school student for advancing the goals and dreams of King. The F. Michael Taff Award honors an individual, business or organization from Rockville for improving the lives of people with disabilities. The commission will also recognize the winners of its 2017 Student Multimedia Contest highlighting human rights issues.
The celebration is free and open to all ages. A reception will follow. Learn more and find video of the 2017 celebration at www.rockvillemd.gov/mlk. For information about access, call the city’s Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator at 240-314-8108.