Jen Sorgenfrei                                                                                               Meghan Cunningham
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jennifer.sorgenfrei@toledo.oh.gov                                                                  meghan.cunningham@utoledo.edu

City, University team to host annual MLK Unity Celebration 

Mayor, UT President join to recognize Dr. King, encourage community turn-out

Toledo Mayor Michael P. Bell and Dr. Lloyd Jacobs, president of The University of Toledo will join together at a press conference at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 18th in the mayor’s office at One Government Centerto preview the 2013 Unity Celebration.

This year’s celebration marks the 12th annual event and will bring the community together around the theme “Make a Way.”

“We are grateful that the spirit of Dr. King’s life lives on at The University of Toledo and in the great city of Toledo,” UT President Lloyd Jacobs said. “It is an indomitable spirit, a righteous spirit, but it will not live alone. It is for us — for you, for me, for our children — to nurture and foster so it continues to live and so that someday soon his dream may be fully realized”

Keynote speaker John Barfield will speak on entrepreneurship and tell his story of making a way not only for himself, but by giving back to others in his community. The celebration will also include performances from the Toledo Youth Choir and the Interfaith Mass Choir. Non-perishable food donations will be collected for the MLK Kitchen for the Poor, and a free community lunch will be provided following the official ceremonies.

“Dr. King devoted his life to making a way in the community for those without opportunity,” said Mayor Bell. “It is our job as elected officials, community leaders and clergy to continue to make a way in our community so that all in Toledo can thrive. We do this by remembering the words and the work of Dr. King and putting them to action in our daily efforts.”

The 2013 Unity Celebration will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, January 21st in Savage Arena on the campus of The University of Toledo. WGTE Public Television will broadcast the event live and will re-air the program later in the day. Ceremonies will conclude by 11 a.m.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Jan. 17, 2013)
The Blade (Jan. 19, 2013)
The Blade (Jan. 21, 2013)
The Blade (Jan. 22, 2013)
13 ABC, WNWO and WTOL 11 (Jan. 22, 2013)