The city of Aurora will honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during a ceremony on Jan. 19 at East Aurora High School.
The 41st annual MLK Ceremony in Aurora, set to begin at 6 p.m. at the high school at 500 Tomcat Lane, will feature a keynote speech by Stacy Davis Gates, who is president of the Chicago Teachers Union, a former high school social studies teacher and a national advocate for educational equity, labor rights and racial justice, according to a news release from the city of Aurora.
The evening will also include youth and adult performances along with the presentation of two different awards, city officials said in the news release.
The city news release said that Davis Gates, as a prominent labor leader and advocate, embodies King’s vision for economic and racial justice. Her leadership highlights the intersection of public education and civil rights, city officials said.
“Davis Gates is a dynamic speaker who brings courage and clarity,” Aurora Deputy Chief of Staff Nicholas Richard-Thompson said in the news release. “Her fearless leadership and commitment to the ‘common good’ approach to organizing make her the ideal voice to help us reflect on King’s legacy of labor advocacy and our current struggle for structural justice.”
In addition to Davis Gates’ keynote speech and performances by local choruses and artists, the event will also feature the presentation of the Donna J. Williams MLK Service Awards and the MLK Youth Liberation Awards, officials said.
The city of Aurora has gathered to commemorate the birth and mission of Martin Luther King Jr. for over 40 years, according to the news release. City officials said that the event serves as a call to action for residents to promote justice, elevate human dignity and strengthen neighborhoods through service and advocacy.
More information about the event can be found on the city’s website at: www.aurora.il.us/Recreation-and-Amenities/Events/Special-Events/MLK-Day
