AmeriCorps VISTA to celebrate historic MLK event

The AmeriCorps VISTA program at Mississippi State will host a reading at Barnes & Noble on Tuesday [April 16], from 4-5 p.m., commemorate the 50th anniversary of the day Martin Luther King, Jr. began writing his Letter from Birmingham Jail. Participants worldwide will host public readings of King's letter in celebration.

Representatives from various organizations around campus will read a passage from the letter. Afterwards, there will be a facilitated discussion conducted by Dr. Becky Smith on social injustice. The Birmingham Public Library asks that as many groups as possible photograph, video, tweet, or blog about their readings. Please use the hashtag #LetterFromBirminghamJail. Plans are to collect all the social media and present it online.

This event is sponsored by the AmeriCorps VISTA, Maroon Volunteer Center, Department of Agricultural Economics, Volunteer Starkville, Black Student Alliance, Collegiate 4-H, Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, and Men of Excellence.