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26th Annual MLK "We Have A Dream" Virtual Celebration

Join the Rochester Branch NAACP, Diversity Council, and the Rochester Area Chamber for the 27th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "We Have a Dream" virtual community celebration!
When Jan 17, 2022
from 08:00 AM to 09:30 AM
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Register here: https://bit.ly/31Zv0ug
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We Have a Dream Celebration is an annual community event held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to commemorate the life and work of Dr. King.
Featured Keynote Speaker: Lorien Lature Elizabeth Carter


The keynote speaker this year is Lorien Lature Elizabeth Carter and her keynote address will be titled “Their guilt, Our Responsibility.” Lorien Carter was born in Madison WI and raised in NYC. She is a mother, an author, a writer, a poet, and an advocate for the black and brown community. She moved back to Madison WI and would later begin her community/activist work in 2015, after the homicide of her 19 year old nephew, Tony Robinson, at the hands of Madison Police officer Matt Kenny. Since then, she’s become a voice for the youth, a highly decorated speaker, and pillar for the black and brown community. receiving multiple awards for these achievements.

 

Featured Entertainer: Ill Chemistry
Desdamona is an international award-winning spoken word and hip-hop artist who has been performing, teaching, and producing solo and collaborative work for over 20 years. Desdamona has worked in over 200 schools in the Midwest and has visited schools in France conducting workshops as artist in residence. In 2012, a collaboration between Desdamona and beat boxer / MC Carnage the Executioner was released on French label Nato records. The collaboration between Des and Carnage started in 2005 and the duo are currently in the process of creating new work together. In 2016, Desdamona released her 4th solo release entitled No Man's Land featuring a cast of women from the Twin Cities.
Carnage the Executioner has spent 30 years making music, performing live, touring the world, and working with youth and adults from various socio-economic backgrounds. He possesses a knack for producing intense, thought provoking music and establishing strong, healthy relationships. 15 years of teaching human beat boxing/vocal percussion, song writing, and composing short stage plays has culminated an impressive artist resume that extends to Europe and Asia. Carnage has been featured on the front page of the City Pages, referred to as "The Best Rapper (and Beat Boxer) You Have Never Heard Of" and was ranked #8 in the top 20 best rappers from MN also by City Pages.
There will also be a Poetry Contest for grades K-12. This years MLK quote for the Poetry Contest is, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘what are you doing for others?’”
Please note, we are planning this event in accordance with the state guidelines to encourage the safety of all attendees and staff. The format and timing of this event is subject to change. The Chamber will ensure that all sponsors, attendees, and members are notified of scheduling changes to this event.

More information about this event…

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Two types of event information being shared in the following:

1. A list of Beam aware upcoming community events of all types. 

2. A list of noteworthy past events that have one or more of the following contents: presentation slides, video recordings as well as takeaways. 

Upcoming Events
Breaking Down to Build Up Jun 11, 2025 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM — Virtual
Coming to the Table 2025 National Gathering Jun 12, 2025 - Jun 15, 2025 — Radisson Hotel St. Paul Downtown 161 St. Anthony Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55103
2Q 2025 County Health Assessment and Planning Partnership (HAPP) Jun 13, 2025 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Rochester NAACP 2025 Juneteenth Community Celebration Jun 14, 2025 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM — MLK Park
Journie Juneteenth Scholarship Jun 14, 2025 05:00 PM - 11:00 PM — Blue Moon Ballroom 2030 U.S. 14 #East Rochester, MN 55904
2025 Juneteenth Breakfast Jubilee Jun 19, 2025 09:30 AM - 11:30 AM — Empire Event Center
ICAM: Utsav 2025 (Festival of Colors) Jul 19, 2025 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM — Peace Plaza, Downtown, Rochester, MN
Upcoming events…
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