KING CENTER ANNOUNCES BE LOVE DAY 2024 WITH

Atlanta, GA., July 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — July 5, 2024 – The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change announces the 3rd annual^rd BE LOVE DAY, Friday July 12^thfrom 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. BE LOVE DAY 2024 will feature hybrid, interactive, family-focused events that engage, educate, equip, and empower attendees.

This year, BE LOVE DAY begins with a Interfaith Prayer for World PeaceThis is a hybrid event that will bring together a myriad of faiths and denominations in prayer for peace in our World House. The in-person portion will be held at the King Center in the Coretta Scott King Garden of Peace and Meditation. This event begins at 9 a.m. ET and will be streamed on YouTube, Facebook, X, and the King Center website, thekingcenter.org.

“There are many misconceptions about love, including that love is passive and accepts injustice,” says Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO of the King Center. “BE LOVE DAY,” Dr. King continues, “is a call for a deeper understanding of love, including its tangibility and how it can be used to move culture, the future, and humanity in a more just, humane, and peaceful direction.”

As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Voting is the cornerstone of political action.” In celebration of BE LOVE DAY, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, the King Center is hosting a Voter Registration and Education An event on the Center’s campus. Participants can visit polling places to learn how to confirm or change their registration and obtain a voter registration card. Additional information is available at thekingcenter.org/belove.

There will be a Reading books about puppets for children at the Yolanda D. King Theatre for the Performing Arts at 10 a.m. Author Sedara Burson will read from her children’s book, ‘Zealous Zora,‘ with the puppet, Meeka the Rabbitand puppet artist, Jimmica Collinsof Center for Puppetry Arts. This is a hybrid event that will be streamed on YouTube, Facebook, X and the King Center’s website, thekingcenter.org.

After reading the book about puppets, there will be a relevant and informative episode of the ReThink Podcast title “The injustice of war.” This conversation will focus on the root causes of militarism, the devastating consequences of militarism, how militarism is linked to poverty and racism, and how love is a powerful collaborator in overcoming the injustice of war in our World House. The conversation will be moderated by Cameron Friend, Content Producer for The King Center, and Dr. Vonnetta L. West, Nonviolence365® Instructor and Lead Trainer, and will include special guests Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO of The King Center, and Rev. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Associate Director of Yale’s Center for Public Theology and Public Policy. This virtual event begins at 11 a.m. ET and will be streamed on YouTube, Facebook, X, and The King Center’s website, thekingcenter.org.

At 12pm ET on BE LOVE DAY, the King Center is presenting a free one-hour virtual session, “Love in Action: Six Practical Ways to Apply Love to Personal, Cultural, and Societal Transformation.” This session expands on the teachings of the inaugural Be Love series and explores how the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. can be used to apply love to thought, faith, language, family life, education, activism, lawmaking, and other areas. Space is limited. Registration is available at thekingcenter.org/belove.

The King Center will host a special BE LOVE DAY red carpet, a world premiere and screening of the short film “The Principle,” which focuses on cyberbullying. Following the film screening, there will be a Dear Community Chats, “The Audacity of Love in the Fight Against Bullying” featuring Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO of The King Center; Mickey Guyton, actress and country music star of “The Principle”; John Viscount, director of “The Principle”; and moderator Malcolm-Jamal Warner, actor, poet and musician. The film screening and Beloved Community Talks will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Yolanda D. King Theatre for the Performing Arts. They will also be streamed on YouTube, Facebook, X and the King Center’s website, thekingcenter.org.

The day will end with a live musical performance by Van Van, followed by a final concert with talented Atlanta singer Jade Novah. Jade Novah is this year’s featured artist for BE LOVE (BLFA). BLFA is a concert series created by The King Center specifically to inspire people to create the beloved community. Working with music labels, emerging and existing artists, The King Center curates closing concerts, playlists, and music for the public to enjoy. The concert will take place from 4-5pm ET and seating is limited. It will be held at the Yolanda D. King Theatre for the Performing Arts and will also be streamed on YouTube, Facebook, X, and The King Center’s website, thekingcenter.org.

In addition to these BE LOVE DAY experiences, there will be a BE LOVE DAY Back to School Backpack Service Project, a live DJ sponsored by Grand Hustle Inc, games, face painting, food trucks and more!

Thank you to our generous sponsors and partners!

Sponsors: Atlanta Dream Basketball, Atlanta Hawks Basketball, Grand Hustle Inc., Orange Barrell Media and Universal Music Group Taskforce for Meaningful Change.

Partners: All Americas Vote, Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School, Atlanta Public Schools, Center for Puppetry Arts, Covenant House Georgia, Science ATL, Slater Elementary School, The Georgia’s People Agenda.

For more information about BE LOVE DAY, visit the King Center website at thekingcenter.org/BELOVE.

About the King Center

The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1968 by Mrs. Coretta Scott King. The King Center is the official living memorial and nonprofit organization committed to educating the world about the life, legacy, and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The King Center serves to inspire new generations to continue his unfinished work, strengthen the causes, and empower the changemakers who continue his efforts today. The King Center’s primary educational initiative, Nonviolence365®, is based on Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy and methodology. His teachings engage participants from diverse sectors of society, including emerging and next-generation leaders, in modules and exercises that enhance communication, leadership, interpersonal and conflict-reconciliation skills, and empower individuals to challenge injustice.

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Final release of BE LOVE Day 2024
BE LOVE Day Events Schedule