The 19th annual celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held on Monday, Jan. 19, 2015.

The life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be celebrated in West Hartford on Jan. 19, 2015.

Submitted by the Town of West Hartford

Join us for the 19th annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life on Monday, Jan.19, 2015, from 10 – 11:30 a.m., at the West Hartford Town Hall auditorium, 50 South Main Street. West Hartford’s special event that pays tribute to Dr. King’s ideals and vision is free and open all.

This year’s celebration features keynote speaker Linda J. Kelly of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Since 2005, Linda Kelly has served as president of the community foundation that serves 29 towns in the Greater Hartford region. From homeless shelters and food pantries to theaters and libraries, from parks and gardens to hospitals and family centers, the Hartford Foundation works on every issue, in every corner of Greater Hartford.

As one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the country, the Hartford Foundation has awarded $589 million in grants since its inception in 1925 and $29.5 million in 2013 alone. The Hartford Foundation issues grants particularly in the area of arts and culture, children and youth, education, health, housing and economic development, and family and social services.

Audrey Washington, NBC Connecticut reporter, will serve as the emcee. The celebration also features Yale University Chaplin Frederick Streets and Mayor Scott Slifka. Kaitlyn Jones of Conard High School and Lydia Henning of Hall High School will offer the student perspectives. Musical performances will be provided by the Hall Jazz Combo, Voices of Bristow and Conard’s Voices of the World choir. In addition, artwork and essays from West Hartford’s elementary schools will be on display.

The event is televised live on West Hartford Community TV, Comcast Channel 5. Elmwood Senior Center will provide the refreshments.

Event sponsors are the Town of West Hartford, West Hartford Public Schools, West Hartford African American Social & Cultural Organization and the West Hartford Human Rights Commission.

For more information, contact Renee McCue at 561-7521 or [email protected].