City of Glendale - Unity Day

Glendale Presents the 2010 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Day Luncheon

The city of Glendale’s Diversity Committee is proud to present the 2010 Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Day Luncheon, featuring Dr. Matthew C. Whitaker, Associate Professor at Arizona State University and the recipient of the 2009 Promoting Inclusiveness Award.

Each year, on the third Monday of January, the life and the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are celebrated. Glendale honors this great man and his ideals with a luncheon that acknowledges the value of diversity, the progress made toward freedom and equality for all people and continued efforts to strengthen communities across the nation. This year’s theme, “Celebrating diversity in our communities—keeping the dream alive” pays tribute to Dr. King’s legacy and the positive impact that it has had on our community.
The luncheon will be held from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, Friday, January 15, 2010 at the Glendale Civic Center, located at 5750 W. Glenn. Drive. Doors open at 11 a.m.; program will begin at 11:30 a.m.

Dr. Matthew C. Whitaker is an award-winning scholar, teacher, activist and emerging voice among public intellectuals in the United States. Professor Whitaker is Associate Professor of History at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, where he is also an Affiliate of the African and African American Studies Program and the School of Justice and Social Inquiry. Dr. Whitaker is a highly sought after writer, speaker and consultant, whose historical training and expertise in interpersonal and intercultural communication, social movements, politics and popular culture places him at the cutting edge of our constantly changing global society.

As one of the state’s premier celebrations of Dr. King’s life and the ideals his name so symbolically represents, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Day Luncheon demonstrates Glendale’s commitment to create a society that is more just, peaceful and understanding.

The public and community members are invited to attend the event by purchasing a reserved seat that includes a plated lunch. Seats for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Day Luncheon can be purchased in person at the Glendale Visitor Center, located at 5800 W. Glenn Drive, suite 140. The Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., exclusive of city holidays. Seats are $40 per person. For more information on reserving a seat, contact the Visitor Center at (623) 930-4500.

Promoting Inclusiveness Award 2009

In 1963, during his Strength to Love speech, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Dr. King’s message still rings true today and the Glendale Diversity Committee is currently seeking nominations for someone who embraces these ideals with its annual “Promoting Inclusiveness Award” at the Glendale Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Day Luncheon.

Nominations are now being accepted based on responses to the following questions and character references.

Nominations should include the following information:

• What has the nominee(s) accomplished that helped to promote inclusiveness?
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• What personal beliefs or qualities of the nominee are consistent with those Dr. King lived by and advocated?

The recipient of the award will be honored at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2010 Unity Day Luncheon on Friday, January 15, 2010, at 11:30 p.m. at the Glendale Civic Center, 5750 West Glenn Drive, Glendale, Arizona.

Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. December 11, 2009.

Click here to submit your nomination online!

Tickets for the Luncheon

Reserved seats are $40/person and $400/table. For more information on reserving a seat, contact the Visitor Center at (623) 930-4500.