The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be celebrated in Geneva on Monday, January 20, with a day of justice, inclusion, and community, thanks to a collaboration between Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS) and the Geneva MLK Committee. The day’s theme, “Dr. King’s Dream, is our dream,” highlights the community’s shared commitment to equality and justice.
The commemoration begins at 9:30 a.m. with a gathering at Bicentennial Park on Exchange Street, where welcoming remarks will be delivered by Rev. Nita Byrd, Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Engagement at HWS. The annual Memorial March will then proceed to the Presbyterian Church on Park Place at 10 a.m.
At 11 a.m., a worship service at St. Paul’s Full Gospel Baptist Church will feature a keynote address by Rev. Myra Brown, Senior Pastor at Rochester’s Spiritus Christi Church. Brown, an advocate for racial justice and founder of the Spiritus Christi Racial Justice Ministry, has been a prominent voice in the Black Lives Matter movement and anti-racism efforts. Performances by the MLK Memorial Choir, led by Patrisha Blue ’77, will also highlight the service, along with the announcement of the MLK Art and Poetry Contest winners, recognizing creative works by local students.
New this year, afternoon programming will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Geneva Public Library. This family-friendly event, organized by library staff and Dove Block volunteers, includes hands-on crafts that symbolize Dr. King’s message of hope and unity. HWS transfer and international students will assist as volunteers, fostering connections between the college and the Geneva community.
Katie Flowers, Director of Community Engagement and Service-Learning at HWS, emphasized the importance of the partnership between the colleges and local organizations. “Through creative activities, meaningful dialogue, and collective action, this year’s MLK Day celebration strengthens bonds among residents, students, and leaders while paying tribute to Dr. King’s dream of equality for all,” Flowers said.
The commemoration will extend beyond MLK Day with a panel discussion, “HWS MLK 2025: Re/Building Beloved Community,” on Tuesday, January 28, at Froelich Hall in the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts. The discussion begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by a reception at The Adams Intercultural Center.
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