WWAC presents an interfaith panel of 'wise guys' to discuss resistance
BRATTLEBORO — BRATTLEBORO - On Friday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m., Windham World Affairs Council will present a free program entitled “An Interfaith Dialogue on Resistance” at Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St. in Brattleboro.
WWAC has invited Professor Amer Latif of Marlboro College to represent a Muslim point of view and James Levinson, formerly spiritual leader of the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community, to represent a Jewish point of view.
Rev. Scott Couper, the new minister at Centre Congregational, whose initiative launched this project and who is a WWAC Board member, will act as moderator.
The WWAC is asking the public to submit questions on resistance by Martin Luther King Jr. or others, past or present. Questions may be submitted to windhamworldaffairscouncil@gmail.com.
Brooks Library celebrates life, work of Martin Luther King Jr.
BRATTLEBORO - Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St., honors the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. with the third annual Speak-Out event Saturday, Jan. 19, at 3:30 pm.
The centerpiece of the event is a dramatic presentation by actor David Mills that looks at the public figure and the private man and, using King's writings, speeches, and sermons, traces his life from his early uncertainties about the Civil Rights Movement into the iconic figure that he became.
Mills appeared at Brooks Memorial Library to great acclaim last year with his powerful interpretation of the writings of Langston Hughes as part of the Vermont Humanities Council's First Wednesday series.
After the performance, community members of all ages are invited to share poems, speeches, quotations, thoughts, and songs in the spirit of King's work. The program will conclude with a communal supper of soup and bread.
This event is free and open to the public through the support of the Friends of Brooks Memorial Library and the Brattleboro Retreat. This venue is accessible to people with disabilities. For more information, call 802-254-5290, or visit www.brookslibraryvt.org.
Centre Church hosts annual community MLK Day celebration
BRATTLEBORO - On Sunday, Jan. 20, at 4 p.m., the 11th annual community celebration of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held at Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St.
This event is sponsored by the Brattleboro Area Interfaith Leadership Association, who called this event an opportunity “for people of all ages, faiths, races, and ethnicities to come together to remember the work of King, to celebrate all that unites us, and to learn about local community organizations working against racism.”
The service will include representatives of many faith traditions, Brattleboro Town Manager Peter Elwell, members of Youth4Change, and featured speaker Kiah Morris. Morris is the former Vermont state representative from Bennington who resigned her seat last summer after repeated threats.
The program will also include brief remarks from Nader Hashim, the newly-elected state representative from Windham District-4, and a vocal celebration from jazz and blues vocalist Samirah Evans and her Youth Vocal Trio comprised of Veronica Stevens, Mariam Diallo, and Annabelle Thies, accompanied by keyboardist Franz Robert.
There will also be songs from a community choir under the leadership of Peter Amidon and the lighting of candles by everyone in attendance. Singers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to come to the church at 3 p.m. to rehearse songs for the service.
Admission is free, but a goodwill donation will be accepted, with proceeds shared between the Vermont Partnership for Fairness and Diversity and the Root Social Justice Center.
A spaghetti dinner prepared by interfaith youth will follow the celebration on the lower level of the church. It is a fundraiser for their service project and is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
ROOT Social Justice Center, Vermont Partnership for Fairness and Diversity, VT Poor People's Campaign, Youth for Change, NAACP, People of Color Caucus, Lost River Racial Justice Group, and other local groups working for racial justice will all offer information and make short presentations on how people can be involved locally to work against racism.
Co-op invites nonprofits to information night
BRATTLEBORO - In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., the Brattleboro Food Co-op is welcoming area nonprofits to shed light on their work.
This free event, which takes place at the Co-op on Monday, Jan. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m., is designed to help organizations get the work out and, perhaps, entice others to get involved as they learn about how to support the community through supporting these nonprofits.
For more information, visit www.brattleborofoodcoop.coop.