Atlanta Preps for Another MLK Celebration

In Atlanta, many community organizers and organizations are getting ready for another spectacular weekend of events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as other civil rights activist/leaders such as Audre Lorde and Bayard Rustin.

In The Life Atlanta has published a list of events, that I have included below. For more information, please visit ITLA's website at: http://www.inthelifeatl.com

2008 MLK Celebration Events

January 15, 2008 - ATLANTA - In the Life Atlanta is proud to bring Bayard Rustin's surviving partner to Atlanta on Wednesday, January 23rd to participate in Crossing Boundaries, part 2 of the special series, "Trailblazing Our Rights and Our Freedoms," celebrating LGBT pioneers. All events will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System's Central branch, located at 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA 30303. Other events are as follows:

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Title: Trailblazing Our Rights and Our Freedoms - Part 1
Time: 7:00 pm

Description: Power of One is Part 1 of an interactive media program series that honors LGBT Pioneers at the Atlanta Central Public Library, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA 30303 (MARTA Peachtree Center Station Accessible) The Power of One: Celebrating Goldy and Joe Criscuolo. The Criscuolos led Cracker Barrel and Olympics Out of Cobb protests and were core members of Act Up and Queer Nation. Dave Hayward, writer, activist and Touching Up Our Roots coordinator, is the panel moderator.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Title: L.O.V.E. Coalition's 2nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast
Time: 10:00 am

Description: This year our theme is: Creating a Community of Diversity and Acceptance. The guest speaker will be "Able" Mable Thomas. Ms. Mable Thomas, a native of Atlanta, is currently serving as a State Representative in the Georgia House of Representatives. Requested donation: $15. Event will take place at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System's Central branch, located at 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA 30303. Contact: Stephon Collins at 404-492-2632 or Louis Hinton at 404-272- 8609. RSVP emails accepted at: lchinton@bellsouth.net

Title: Social Justice Speakfire
Time: 6:30 pm

Description: Atlanta's premiere organization for lesbians of African descent ZAMI presents a Social Justice Speakfire at the House of IntegriTEA. This event will include an LGBTQ intergenerational dialogue and a spoken word open mic featuring some of Atlanta's most skillful wordsmiths addressing themes related to social justice and liberation. This event will be presented in conjunction with the Rustin- Lorde Breakfast to provide an artistic space for Black LGBTQ and progressive communities during the MLK weekend. Location: 312 C. N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, GA Contact: Marry Anne Adams at 404.370.1392

Monday, January 21, 2008

Title: The 2008 Atlanta Bayard Rustin-Audre Lorde Breakfast
Time: 9:00 am

Description: Breakfast will be held at Atlanta First United Methodist Church. The 7th annual event has a new name and home. Lorde's name has been added to honor the legendary Black lesbian feminist writer/activist and highlight the significance of Black women's leadership in human rights movements. Positive Impact, an agency that provides free mental health services for people affected by HIV, will serve as the fiscal agent for the event. Location: 360 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA Contact: Darlene Hudson at 404.441.4827 or Craig Washington at 404.589.9040 x104

Title: Martin Luther King Jr. March
Time: 12:45 pm

Description: Following the breakfast attendess will proceed to the Martin Luther King Jr March and gather at the line-up site on Peachtree and Ellis streets at 12:45pm. The MLK March kicks off at 1pm. Location: Intersection of Peachtree and Ellis St., Atlanta, GA Contact: Darlene Hudson at 404.441.4827 or Craig Washington at 404.589.9040 x104

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Title: Crossing Boundaries. Part 2 of the Trailblazing Our Rights and Our Freedoms series
Time: 7:00 pm

Description: Part 2 of an interactive media program series that honors LGBT Pioneers at the Atlanta Central Public Library, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA 30303 (MARTA Peachtree Center Station Accessible) Crossing Boundaries celebrates Winston Johnson and Walter Naegle. Find out what inspired Coretta Scott King to become involved in the Gay Rights Movement as you hear from Bayard Rustin's surviving partner Walter Naegle discuss Rustin's involvement in social change. Panel Topic: 40 Years After King's Dream: Where are we in the struggle to achieve Civil and Human Rights? Moderated by award-winning journalist Anaré V. Holmes, In the Life Atlanta's Executive Board Secretary.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Title: Ties that Bind. The final installment of three part Trailblazing Our Rights and Our Freedoms series
Time: 7:00 pm

Description: Ties That Bind: Celebrating Judy Colbs Colbs was a leader in the Atlanta chapter of Parents and Friends and Families of Gays and Lesbians (PFLAG) for over 20 years. Alan Richard, journalist and human rights advocate, is the panel moderator. Event location: Atlanta Central Public Library, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA 30303 (MARTA Peachtree Center Station Accessible)

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