ISU’s Brown Ballroom hosts annual Dr. MLK Jr. Luncheon

Photo provided by Janessa Williams

NORMAL, Ill. – The Normal and Bloomington Human Relations Commission is holding their annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon in the Brown Ballroom on Saturday, Jan. 20 from 1-3 p.m.

The event has been running for the past 48 years and also includes the presentation of the “I Have a Dream” award, which this year has been awarded to local high school students Siddhi Hindurao, Bradley Ross Jackson, Shloka Ravinuthala and adult community members Vincent Allen and Linda Foster.

Chairperson of the Human Relations Commission Janessa Williams talked about the selection process.

“Some of the things that we look at are community service,” Williams said. “Things that are new and innovative, particularly with our youth award winners, because they are our future and they are doing amazing things in junior high and high school.”

The luncheon is also set to feature Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, a prominent civil rights leader known for his advocacy on a national scale. Earlier in the day the commission is also hosting seminars on housing and environmental justice in the Bone Student Center. According to Williams, these are part of efforts to expand community outreach.

“Not only are we interested in acknowledging the great work that’s being done,” Williams said. “We’re also interested in educating our community on issues specifically facing our community and ways we can help address it.”