ST. PAUL, MN – At 10:00am on Monday, January 16, 2017, the Governor’s Council on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday will hold “A Day of Service and Celebration in Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul. The event will include remarks from Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith, and a keynote address by Caroline Wanga, Chief Diversity Officer, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, Target Corporation.
“We must continue the work that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. began over 60 years ago. It begins with a reaffirmation of our commitment to equal rights, opportunities, and justice for all,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “I encourage all Minnesotans to join us on January 16th, as we honor past civil rights leaders and renew our commitment to a better future.”
In addition, the program will be hosted by Brandi Powell, KSTP-TV Anchor, and will feature a musical tribute by Sounds of Blackness. Sounds of Blackness is a Grammy Award-winning vocal and instrumental ensemble. This event is free and open to the public. More details can be found below.
About Keynote Speaker Caroline Wanga
Caroline Wanga, Chief Diversity Officer, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, Target Corporation, will deliver the keynote speech. Caroline Wanga is responsible for developing strategies, initiating action and driving organizational change in support of Target’s diversity and inclusion priorities, as part of Target’s corporate social responsibility initiatives. Prior to Target, Caroline served in youth development positions as a non-profit professional in a variety of organizations, including the YMCA, Camp Fire Boys and Girls, Lutheran Social Services, Turning Point Inc., and The Boys and Girls Club.
Caroline is a Kenyan citizen and her daughter Cadence is currently a junior at New York University (NYU), majoring in computer engineering/integrated digital media. Caroline currently resides in Minneapolis with her longtime significant other, Rasheen.
EVENT: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
WHO:
Governor Mark Dayton
Council on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
WHAT:
A Day of Service and Celebration in Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with the theme: “The time is always right to do what is right.”
WHEN:
Monday, January 16, 2017
9:00am Youth Rally and March – Minnesota State Capitol
9:15am Assemble for March Re-Enactment
9:30am March begins from Minnesota State Capitol*
10:00am Celebration Program – Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
12:00pm Event ends
WHERE:
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
345 Washington Street
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102
*Please note: the mile-long march will begin at the front steps of the Minnesota State Capitol, before concluding at the Ordway Center.
About the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
Every year since 1986, the Governor’s Council on the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday has hosted a statewide event. The theme of this year’s celebration is “The time is always right to do what is right.”
Other event highlights include performances by high school students, diverse groups from around the state, and the presentation of colors by the Minnesota National Guard. There will be live American Sign Language Interpretation.
