ILLUMINATING THE BELOVED COMMUNITY
Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On January 15, 2018 the 13th annual Luminary event will occur. The Nineteenth Ward Community Association a neighborhood organization, which has practiced many of the values of Martin Luther King’s concept of The Beloved Community. In 1965, the 19th WCA, organized against many economic and social pressures for segregation and fought for policies to promote a prosperous, integrated urban community. Over the years 19th ward residents have continued to advocate for fair, affordable housing and home ownership, quality local schools, community/police collaborations for crime prevention and a wide range of policies and services to promote and preserve a vibrant urban community.
This year we start our celebration Saturday January 13, 2018 at Arnett Library with tribute to King with a 19th Ward Youth Choir and guest speaker Willie Lightfoot, former County Legislator. On January 15, 2018 the neighborhood plans to ‘light up the neighborhood” with luminaries, to express our solidarity with the values of Martin Luther King’s Beloved Community and his important campaigns against racism, poverty and militarism. In these challenging times we want to focus on the importance of coming together as a neighborhood community to celebrate and support each other in Beloved Community. We ask that all neighbors “Light Up the Night” from each block, district and area organization to encourage and facilitate the acquisition, distribution and display of a wide variety of luminaries throughout the area.
Hot Spots, neighbors open their homes and front yards to gather in the beloved community. We encourage neighbors to seek a Hot Spot by going to website “luminaryevening.com” Residents can gather at Hot Spots for Hot Chocolate, A pot of soup or chili and some areas are giving out free coats. We will have lots of fun and good conversation in areas throughout the ward. Light Up The Nite between 6pm and 9pm on January 15th 2018. Please call if you would like to become a Hot Spot for 2018.
This is a block by block, district by district event. To volunteer or for further information contact: Zola Brown 585-210 -9370 or info@luminaryevening.com.