VANCOUVER, WASH. – Washington State University Vancouver will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day with its annual MLK Day of Service 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Jan.16, in the Firstenburg Student Commons. Workshops and a lunchtime speech will focus on the theme “Bridging the Gap Between Sustainability and Social Justice.”
Reservations are encouraged for the free, public event. The first 80 people to attend will receive a free MLK Day of Service t-shirt. For more information and to make a reservation, visit www.vancouver.wsu.edu/mlk.
Jo Ann Hardesty, a long-time voice for Portland, Ore., underrepresented communities and a leader in the struggle against racial and economic injustice, will deliver the keynote address. She is co-host of “Voices from the Edge,” a weekly program on topics of community interest on KBOO radio.
She previously served as an Oregon state legislator, executive director of Oregon Action and chair of Portland Community Media.
Chef Peter Leigh Gallin of Applewood Restaurant will serve a local, sustainable lunch menu during the speech.
Throughout the day, participants may choose to attend a variety of workshops, including: “How Can We Build a Sustainable Future? Lessons from Fishery Management” presented by Brian Tissot, interim director and professor in the School of Earth and Environmental Science, WSU Vancouver; “The Return of the Wapato” presented by Jon Shellenberger, archeologist, Yakama Nation, and Emily Washines, public relations, Yakama Nation; and “Climate Action Now!” presented by Desirée Williams-Rajee, sustainability outreach coordinator, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, City of Portland.
“The service aspect of this year’s event is built around the concept of gaining knowledge and putting that knowledge into action – not just on one day, but throughout the year and throughout life,” said Bola Majekobaje, assistant director for student diversity at WSU Vancouver. “We hope people will be inspired to effect change in their own lives and in the community regarding sustainability issues.”