Wooster’s annual MLK celebration to focus on Reframing Justice
The College of Wooster’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration will take place throughout the week of Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 through Thursday, Jan. 18, centered around the theme “Reframing Justice.” The College invites students, faculty, staff, as well as the local community to engage in meaningful exploration and dialogue about issues that connect with King’s work and vision on matters relating to civil rights and social justice, activism, responsibility, and engagement.
The week will begin with the College’s Interfaith Prayer Brunch on Monday, Jan. 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Kittredge Hall. During the brunch, Sandy Womack Jr. will present the week’s keynote address. All events are open to the public and guests are encouraged to R.S.V.P. here by Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Womack is the founder of The Ohio Education and Prevention Association LLC, which focuses exclusively on the unique challenges and opportunities urban school districts face. For over 17 years, OEPA has successfully prepared staff and students to increase academic outcomes within urban areas by providing high-quality professional development. A veteran educator in public schools, Womack specializes in urban school transformational change. Social Activism has been the foundation of his career. He and his fraternity brothers were the Grow Your Own Program’s catalysts for the recognition of Martin L. King Jr. Day at University of Mount Union utilizing campus sit-ins, economic boycotts, and campus marches. These experiences led to his belief in the power of education and the need for African American students to have a positive sense of self. As an expert on successful school, transformational change, and turnaround, Womack frequently serves as a motivational speaker, and presenter on equity, cultural diversity, and systemic transformational changes.
Womack is currently serving as the area superintendent for region III in Columbus, Ohio, a region containing 19 schools and over 8,500 students. He previously served as the director of curriculum and instruction in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District, director of principal leadership and development, and the leader of the Equity Task Force Committee during his tenure in Cleveland. He has been published in several national publications, including Education Week, Principal Leadership, and the online periodical Education Dive. He can be heard on worldwide podcasts addressing race, education, and equity issues. His most recent interview, “Moving towards Chaos or Community” on the podcast Light Um Up, made Apple’s Top 100 list with over 500 downloads in one hour in over 40 countries. Womack earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Mount Union College, his master’s degree in education administration from University of Akron, and his Ohio Superintendents License from Kent State University. He completed his Doctor of Educational Leadership at Ashland University.
Wooster’s MLK celebration will also include Justice Dialogues held Tuesday, Jan. 16 and Thursday, Jan. 18 from 11 a.m. to noon in the Lowry Student Center (1189 Beall Avenue). These dialogues are formulated to engage the audiences in larger advocacy and justice conversations. Justice Dialogues aim to start or continue important conversations that inspire action and advocacy within the wider Wooster community. Look for more information about the Justice Dialogues in the coming weeks at wooster.edu/mlk. Box lunches are available for attendees who R.S.V.P. here prior to the event.
The week leading up to the College’s celebration, students, faculty, and staff are invited to take part in a civic engagement project focused on supporting local communities. Through Jan. 12, community members are welcome to drop off items such as toothbrushes, dish soap, shampoo, soap, trash bags, socks, gloves, and more to the Center of Diversity and Inclusion Lounge on the second floor of the Lowry Student Center. On Thursday, Jan. 15 from noon to 3 p.m., the Center of Diversity and Inclusion Lounge will be open for community members to take part in a care package creation event. Care packages will benefit a mental health organization, a shelter for domestic violence and abuse survivors, a free medical clinic, and a disability support group. These care packages will be distributed by community partners including National Alliance on Mental Illness of Wayne/Holmes County, OneEighty, Viola Startzman Clinic, and Adaptive Sports Ohio.
Wooster’s annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration allows the campus community to engage in meaningful exploration and dialogue about issues that connect with King’s work and vision on matters relating to civil rights and social justice, activism, responsibility, and engagement. For more information, to R.S.V.P. to the Interfaith Prayer Brunch or Justice Dialogues, or for a complete schedule of events, visit wooster.edu/mlk.
Posted in Event, News on December 7, 2023.
