WSU Tri-Cities, CBC hosting civil rights, civic engagement events in honor of legacy of MLK

RICHLAND, Wash. – In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy for civil rights achievements in the United States, Washington State University Tri-Cities and Columbia Basin College will host a series of events surrounding civil rights and civic engagement the week of Jan. 20 that are open to the community.

All events are free to attend and do not require tickets for admission.

Monday, Jan. 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Bell-Ringing Ceremony at CBC

The week begins with the 29^th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Bell-Ringing Ceremony at the CBC campus in Pasco, which honors MLK’s legacy and achievements in civil rights issues locally and across the United States, and also recognizes the efforts that are still to be done. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. at the MLK statue outside of the T Building, and will then move inside the H Building’s Gjerde Center for the main presentation.

Monday, Jan. 20 – MLK Day of Service at Richland Community Center

The Psi Nu Omega Graduate Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will host an MLK Day of Service 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Richland Community Center. Leading up to the event, the WSU Tri-Cities MOSAIC Center for Student Inclusion will be accepting donations of gently used and new shoes and eye glasses, which will be donated on Jan. 20 during the event. Individuals can drop off their donations between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at MOSAIC this week through Friday. Donations will also be collected during the event at the community center on Jan. 20. Student are also invited to volunteer or submit created MLK art by reaching out to the chapter at pnopullman@gmail.com.

W. Kamau Bell is a sociopolitical comedian who is the host and executive producer of the Emmy Award winning CNN docu-series United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell.

Thursday, Jan. 23 – Civil Rights Organizations Workshop at WSU Tri-Cities MOSAIC

The WSU Tri-Cities MOSAIC Center for Student Inclusion will host a Civil Rights Organizations Workshop from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. in Floyd 140 on campus. As part of the workshop, Bob Bauman, WSU Tri-Cities associate professor of history, will present on civil rights groups and will specifically explore the impact of student activism. Bauman teaches American history and public history courses at WSU Tri-Cities and his article on racial segregation in the Tri-Cities was awarded with the Charles Gates Award for the best article to appear in the Pacific Northwest Quarterly in 2005.

Thursday, Jan. 23 – MLK Celebration Watch Party at WSU Tri-Cities Student Union Building

To complete the week, the WSU Tri-Cities MOSAIC Center for Student Inclusion will host an MLK celebration from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., where a presentation by W. Kamau Bell, a sociopolitical comedian and host of the Emmy Award-winning CNN docuseries “United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell,” will be broadcasted to all WSU campuses across the state from WSU Pullman. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about the MOSAIC Center and enjoy some light refreshments.

Media contacts:

Kristine Cody, WSU Tri-Cities MOSAIC Center for Student Inclusion coordinator, 509-372-7600, kristine.cody@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, WSU Tri-Cities public relations/communication coordinator, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu

Anna Tensmeyer, Columbia Basin College marketing and communication director, 509-845-0341, atensmeyer@columbiabasin.edu