Join the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) for their annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Monday, January 16 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center (4055 Nicollet Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN 55409).

The celebration will be emceed by Chad Jackson, Senior Account Executive with the Minnesota Twins. Duchess Harris, Professor of American Studies, Department Chair at Macalester College, and author of four books, will be the keynote speaker. Performances that evening will feature, Mike De’Cole, award winning singer/songwriter.

Performances and guest speakers also include: Sandra Richardson from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Council, and poetry from Victoria Champion.

The MPRB will present its “Living the Dream” award , which honors an individual, business, or community group who has demonstrated dedication and distinguished service to the MPRB and the lives of Minneapolis residents. This year’s recipient is Jovonta Patton, #1 billboard chart-topping artist/community activist.

The celebration will also mark the conclusion of the eighth annual “Feeding the Dream” Food Drive. Residents are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items at their local MPRB Recreation Center through January 16.

The community service project was initiated in the fall of 2009 and since then more than 10,000 pounds of donations have been collected. This year, all donations will go to the Aliveness Project and Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate. Refreshments will be available following the program. For more information, please visit www.minneapolisparks.org or call

612-230-6400.