The 33rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration, coordinated by the MLK Steering Committee, will be held on Sunday, January 15th, 2017 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

The program will begin at 1:00 PM in Uihlein Hall and highlight our youth who interpreted Dr. King’s works through art, speech and writing contests. The only cities that have celebrated Dr. King’s Birthday annually since 1984 are Atlanta, Georgia and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Ameen Atta of Salam High School will address head on the racism he says he's experienced as a Muslim.

"I thought it was an appropriate time to discuss how we are also Americans. We have the same rights. Be equal."

The theme for this year’s program is “We Shall Overcome.” Young people who are involved in the performing arts will also be highlighted as they salute Dr. King’s legacy through music, dance, and song.

This year’s performers include: The Milwaukee Flyers Tumbling Team, Malik Johnson, Hip Hop Cellist from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Hmong American Peace Academy, and more.

Paul Mathews,President & CEO of the Marcus Center, says the presentation will entertain and inspire.

"Wherever you are in the political spectrum these days, that there's a lot of divisiveness in this country," Matthews told CBS 58's Michele McCormack.  "Right here here in Milwaukee we feel with the the Marcus Center and with the arts is a way of healing, of bridging cultures in a positive way." 

This year we are fortunate to have new performing artists, which include United Indians of Milwaukee and Kaprice Maxwell, Jazz Singer from Milwaukee Public School’s Milwaukee High School of the Arts. United Indians of Milwaukee provides a place for natives in the city to go and help transition to city life by providing resources within the city.

Miss United Indians of Milwaukee, Wasse Williams will open the program and welcome the Native American performance group- United Indians of Milwaukee. Kaprice Maxwell is a senior at MPS Milwaukee High School of the Arts and is a double major in vocal and orchestra. She is a multi-talented 17 year- old who enjoyed playing her viola in orchestra with MYSO. Kaprice attends Calvary Baptist Church where she is involved in their Fine Arts Ministry.

Being a part of the fine arts gives Kaprice the opportunity to share her God given talents with praise dancing and participating in the youth Mass Choir Ministry. Kaprice is a fascinating singer who has similar talents of the late 1940’s Hazel Scott, jazz and classical music singer.

The event concludes with the Paulette Y. Copeland Reception at 3:00 P.M. Admission to this event, as well as the reception, is free and open to the community. Complimentary parking in the Marcus Center Parking Structure will also be available.

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