Georgetown's 'Let Freedom Ring' Celebrations Honor MLK

will offer a week of events open to the wider community as part of its Let Freedom Ring Iniative in honor of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. beginning Monday, Jan. 16.

The week starts off Monday evening with a musical event, co-sponsored by the and the university. The performance will feature Grammy Award-winner Bobby McFerrin. Additionally, Clarence Jones, a scholar and former speechwriter for Rev. King, will accept the 2012 John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award.

“Georgetown is honored to continue our annual tradition of celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., especially through our partnership with the Kennedy Center and with the participation of so many members of the Washington, D.C., community,” President John J. DeGioia said in a prepared statement.

The week includes:

• Let Freedom Ring Celebration, Monday, Jan. 16, 6 p.m., Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

• “A Dream Deferred: Dr. King's Unfinished Campaign for Economic Justice”, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 4 p.m., Copley Formal Lounge

• Spiritual Tribute to Dr. King’s Legacy with Rev. Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Jr., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 5 p.m., Dahlgren Chapel

• “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that” - MLK
  Reflections on Dr. King’s Legacy by Georgetown Students, Faculty and Staff, Thursday, Jan. 19, 4 p.m., Copley Formal Lounge

• “fufu & oreos”: A Performance by Obehi Janice, Friday, Jan. 20, 4 p.m., Lohrfink Auditorium

• Let Freedom Ring Community Day of Service, Saturday, Jan. 21, 9:30 a.m.

“The week of events does a good job of providing context for the impact of Dr. King’s legacy while providing current voices that are relevant to today’s issues,” said Michael Smith, associate director of institutional diversity, equity and affirmative action, in a prepared statement.

Free tickets to the Let Freedom Ring Celebration at the Kennedy Center are required and will be given away to members of the community (limit two per person) in line at the Kennedy Center's Hall of Nations at 4 p.m. on Mon., Jan. 16, on a first-come, first-served basis.

A webcast of the Let Freedom Ring Celebration at the Kennedy Center will begin at 6 p.m.

RSVP for the 2012 on-campus events HERE.