Events of January 15-18, 2021

January 15

MLK Diversity Breakfast presented by The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.  Please join again this January in celebrating the life of a visionary and one of the greatest leaders in world history, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This inspiring community celebration honors not only the legacy of Dr. King, but also celebrates the spirit of diversity in our community.  This January’s event maintains the heritage and purpose of those in the past, while introducing a virtual format. The celebration features Michigan’s Lieutenant Governor, Garlin Gilchrist’s highly anticipated keynote of the strength of diversity and Dr. Kings legacy. Additionally, the Jackson District Library, is partnering with the Chamber to include students from the Middle School at Parkside who will recite excerpts from Dr. King’s Drum Major Instinct Sermon.  Benefactors of the event will include Challenge Day, a nonprofit organization committed to building empathy and compassion in our communities. Challenge Day programs are held every fall here inviting all area 7^th graders. Also, the Chamber, in cooperation with the Jackson Community Foundation, is creating a scholarship for a local student of color to Jackson College, Spring Arbor University, or Baker College.  The event will be broadcast on JTV and JTV.tv on Friday, January 15th and Monday, January 18th from 8am-9am and again from 10am-11am. 

Virtual Classes at Jackson YMCA.  FREE classes for members, open to the community. Community members can buy a monthly pass for all classes. Participants have access to all our virtual classes, six days a week. New Year Membership Promotion:  $0 Join Fees now through Jan. 15.  The Y is now offering extended weekend hours:  Saturday 7 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 11 AM to 3 PM.  Monday thru Friday 5 AM to 8 PM.  JacksonYMCA.org

Jackson District Library presents “Library to Go” Boxes Sign Up.  This free subscription-like service will provide your children, aged 10-18, with a selection of materials based on your preferred options!  These materials will be yours to keep, so you don’t need to worry about returning them to the library.  Boxes will ship near the end of the month.  Due to the amount of interest in this program, registration will open once per month for the next month’s subscription box. You must sign up every month to receive a box the following month.  We have a limited number of boxes available, so sign up soon! Registration for February boxes will run January 11-17 and may close early if all slots are filled.  For questions, contact the Youth Services Department at youthservices@myjdl.com.

Red Cross Blood Drives.  The American Red Cross and the National Football League are teaming up this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals – especially those who have recovered from COVID-19 – to give blood and to help tackle the national convalescent plasma shortage. Right now, more donors are needed to help hospital patients.  During this critical time, the Red Cross and NFL are thrilled to offer all those who come to donate an opportunity to receive a special thank you this month. Those who come to donate blood or platelets this January will be automatically entered to win two tickets to next year’s Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.* In addition, those who come to give January 1-20, will also be automatically entered to win the Big Game at Home package for an awesome viewing experience safely at home, with a 65-inch television and a $500 gift card to put toward food and fun.**  Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood today with the American Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or activating the Blood Scheduling Skill for Amazon Alexa.

BLOOD DRIVE SCHEDULE 

1/18/2021: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Heart O The Lakes Church, 7031 Jefferson Road

1/22/2021: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Jackson American Legion, 3200 Lansing Avenue

1/25/2021: 10 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., FOE 301, 301 Detroit St

1/27/2021: 10 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Jackson College, 2111 Emmons Rd

1/28/2021: 10 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 743 West Michigan

1/29/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m., Concord United Methodist Church, 119 S. Main Street

January 18

MLK Day of Service Celebration and Virtual Event.  The Jackson County Branch NAACP presents the annual event from Second Baptist Church virtually.  The theme, “Standing on the Front Line” will be presented through speakers, musicians, youth leaders and the keynote, “Color of Change” delivered by a member of the branch.  Join us as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by building partnerships, strengthening communities, bridging barriers, and helping those in need.  To participate, visit facebook.com/JANCOBRNAACP and via Zoom.

Jackson College presents virtual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Observances.

At 10 a.m., Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe, an educator who as a boy marched alongside Dr. King, will present “From Dreams to Outcomes, The Work of Equity Today.” This is a professional development opportunity for Jackson College employees, but all community members are welcome to listen to the virtual presentation.

Bledsoe brings more than 34 years of postsecondary education experience. He is the founder and current chief executive officer and president of the Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) Organization — a national organization with over 355 chapters in 41 states that endeavors to instill a “spirit of care” and enhance the experiences of young males of color in our country. Before transitioning to his role with SAAB, Dr. Bledsoe served as Vice President for Student Life and Special Assistant to the President at the University of Toledo. (Full Bio)

LINK: https://zoom.us/j/94273168697

At 1 p.m., a Student Symposium will examine and discuss Systemic Racism. Jackson College’s Student Government Association President Jazmyn Ragland will facilitate a panel discussion with four current students and two alumni. Systemic racism refers to the policies and practices existing throughout a society or organization that result in and support a continued unfair advantage to some people and unfair or harmful treatment of others based on race.

LINK: https://zoom.us/j/92271763094 

At 6 p.m., join in a virtual King Day Celebration, “Hope, Inspire, Believe.” Keynote speaker for the evening will be CMS Energy executive Rejji Hayes, who will offer words of inspiration for the evening, “Dr. King’s Dream for Today.” The 2021 King Medal of Service will be presented posthumously to Benny Poole, who passed away in December. Poole was a lifelong musician who continued to play and entertain with his beloved saxophone into his 90s. He used his talent to build bridges and bring people together, especially for his hometown of Jackson.

Tune in via Zoom to the 2021 event; this is free and all community members are welcome.

LINK: https://zoom.us/j/95116566323