Community MLK Celebration 2022

Thursday, January 20 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm

The Community MLK Celebration presents a virtual discussion of Dr. King’s book Why We Can’t Wait.

This will be a virtual event. More information, including how to register via Zoom, is available on the Community MLK Celebration website here.

Please join in on the 2022 Community Read by reading Why We Can’t Wait (1963) by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There will be a virtual panel discussion of the Community Read via Zoom on Thursday, January 20, at 6 PM.

FREE books are available at the following locations (while supplies last):

New Dominion Bookshop
JMRL Central
JMRL Northside
JMRL Crozet
JMRL Gordon
Yancey Community Center
Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
UVA Multicultural Student Center

About the Book: Why We Can’t Wait is Martin Luther King’s classic exploration of the events and forces behind the Civil Rights Movement—including his Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963.

In 1963, Birmingham, Alabama, was perhaps the most racially segregated city in the United States. The campaign launched by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Civil Rights Movement on the segregated streets of Birmingham demonstrated to the world the power of nonviolent direct action.

In this remarkable book—winner of the Nobel Peace Prize—Dr. King recounts the story of Birmingham in vivid detail, tracing the history of the struggle for civil rights back to its beginnings three centuries ago and looking to the future, assessing the work to be done beyond Birmingham to bring about full equality for African Americans. Above all, Dr. King offers an eloquent and penetrating analysis of the events and pressures that propelled the Civil Rights movement from lunch counter sit-ins and prayer marches to the forefront of American consciousness.

Since its publication in the 1960s, Why We Can’t Wait has become an indisputable classic. Now, more than ever, it is an enduring testament to the wise and courageous vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Featured Panelists for the Virtual Discussion:

Andrea Copeland: A native of Charlottesville, Andrea is an active member of her community. Through her work with Positive Channels, she hosts local television programs; emcees, moderates and participates in community events; mentors young women and girls; and volunteers with various local nonprofits.

Judy Le

Kelli Palmer

Siri Russell: Russell is the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the UVA School of Data Science. Prior to joining UVA, Russell served as the inaugural Director of Equity & Inclusion for Albemarle County.

Moderated by Charles Lewis and Maxicelia Robinson, hosts of In My Humble Opinion on 101.3 JAMZ.

Cosponsored by the UVA Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and New Dominion Bookshop.