Press Release
Contact: Katrina Struloeff
Ph. 412-363-4550 x 37
katrina@unionproject.org
January 7, 2010
For Immediate Release
Union Project Partners to Expand Annual Community Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration “Building the Beloved Community” on January 18, 2010, 1-8pm
Partnering with Open Door Church, MGR Foundation, and PGH TASK, Union Project invites the public to attend and participate in “Building the Beloved Community,” an interactive, engaging and uplifting event in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his vision for the possible future of our country. This free daylong event on January 18, 2010 will be held at the Union Project, 801 N. Negley Ave., from 1-8 PM and feature cross-generational artistic activities, a Youth Talent Showcase, a community peace meal, keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Ronald Edward Peters, and additional community performances. Sponsored in part by Dollar Bank, “Building the Beloved Community” is free and open to the public.
We envision an event that activity engages diverse audiences, to strengthen our collective connection to the Vision of a Beloved Community that was advanced by the life, nonviolent philosophy, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Outline of January 18,2009 - “Building the Beloved Community”:1PM: Kick-off - Beloved Community Mosaic Project
Directed by MGR Foundation with Union Project ceramics artists and Laura Jean McLaughlin, local ceramic artist, participants are invited from 1-8 PM to help create a community mosaic that will be featured in Union Project side yard.
2PM - 4PM: Youth Talent Showcase
Local youth are invited to perform uplifting songs, dance, spoken word, and other forms of expression. Performances will also include local leaders reading excerpts from speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Individuals who have met Dr. King or participated in the Civil Right's Movement are invited to come and share their stories as part of an inter-generational interactivity activity.
- 4PM: Rite of Passage/Graduation Ceremony for PGH TASK
The public is invited to celebrate local youth who have completed a rigorous community stewardship program including community service, exercise, event planning, and more.
5-6:30PM: Community Peace Meal
In the tradition of breaking bread together, the community is invited to share in a free community peace meal featuring diverse food donated from local restaurants, farms, and churches. - 6:30PM: Evening Programming
Black National Anthem read by Mrs. Catherine Carter, Community Elder
Keynote Speaker Rev. Dr. Ronald Edward Peters on "Building the Beloved Community”
Amazing Grace performed by Local Musicians
Performance by Anointed Steps of Faith Ministry, University of Pittsburgh
Keynote Speaker Rev. Dr. Ronald Edward Peters is the Henry L. Hillman Associate Professor of Urban Ministry and the first Director of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's Metro-Urban Institute, an interdisciplinary program of religious leadership development for urban society. He teaches courses in the area of Church and Society, the sociology of religion, Christian Education, Black Church history, and Christian ethics. Some of his more popular courses include Church and Society (Local), The Thought of Martin Luther King, Jr., The Church and Economic Development, At-Risk Youth Ministry, Faith and Health in the African Urban Context, and Education for Survival and Success. In 2001, Dr. Peters was appointed Chair of the Allegheny County Human Services Faith-Based Advisory Committee. Also, he serves on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Allegheny County, the Urban League of Pittsburgh and the Urban League Charter School, the Advisory Committee for WQED (local public broadcasting), the African American Advisory Committee for Pittsburgh Presbytery, and on the Mayor's Commission on Public Education.
Union Project is located at 801 N. Negley Avenue at the corner of Stanton Avenue and is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing community space to connect, create, and celebrate. Union Project brings Pittsburgh communities together through mission-based businesses, project incubation, studio arts, space rental and community events for youth and adults. For more information visit
www.unionproject.org .
Open Door Church is a missional church community in the East End area of Pittsburgh, PA. Open Door holds weekly worship gatherings, which take place at the Union Project. For more information visit
www.pghopendoor.org.
MGR Foundation is a direct service, public foundation that creates innovative programming aimed at improving and empowering local and global communities. Our current programs focus on the following general categories: health & well-being, education & youth development, volunteering & community development and arts & humanities. For more information visit
www.mgrf.org.
PGH TASK was founded in January 2007, and is based in the East End of the City of Pittsburgh. The mission of PGH TASK is to empower youth communities through group-mentorship and civic leadership development. We serve teen aged males between 13-18 who are residents of disenfranchised neighborhoods in the City of Pittsburgh. Programs and initiatives include:
• Luv Ur Block: monthly, neighborhood-based service-learning program focused on environmental improvement
• Product of Our Environment Campaign: annual, civic leadership development involving experiential and in-class training
• Peace Keeper Services: on-going social enterprise that supports the our mission
For more information about PGH TASK please contact Mikhail Pappas at
mikhail@pghtask.org.