NAACP's MLK service to include essay winners

The Wooster-Orrville NAACP is sponsoring a community celebration service honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King on Monday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 621 College Ave., Wooster. The winners of the Dr. Martin Luther King Essay Contest for first grade through 12th grade will be introduced and presented with their awards at the service.

Dr. Ric S. Sheffield, the keynote speaker for this event, is a native of Knox County and professor emeritus at Kenyon College. Throughout his academic career, he has examined the history and experience of African Americans in rural Ohio, drawing on his growing up years in Mt. Vernon. His topic at the King event will focus on rural diversity and building bridges among residents of different races and backgrounds. His recent book, “We Got By: A Black Family’s Journey in the Heartland,” examines his own family history in the context of mostly white rural Ohio.

Earlier in the day from 2-3 p.m., Sheffield will sign copies of his book, which also will be available for purchase, at The College of Wooster’s Andrews/Gault Library in the CoRE’s Cube, hosted by librarian Mark Gooch.

Other events on Jan. 15 include a Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service at the Wayne County Public Library Children’s Department from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Co-hosts are the Wooster-Orrville NAACP and the Wayne Center for the Arts. Among the different activities offered, children will have the opportunity to decorate a quilt block for a blanket that will be donated to a local shelter.

The College of Wooster’s Dr. Martin Luther King celebration will focus on “Reframing Justice” with events planned for Jan. 15, 16 and 18. Leading up to Jan. 15, college students are collecting items for care packages that will be distributed to local social service agencies. For details on these events, search online for Wooster’s Annual MLK Celebration 2024.

All these events commemorating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King are open to the public.