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Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy: A Day of Celebration and Reflection at the Allentown Art Museum

Lehigh Valley Health Network was a proud sponsor of the event on Jan. 20

Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is proud to invest in the community we serve. Part of that investment is through partnerships with organizations that make a difference or bring arts and culture to our community, such as the Allentown Art Museum. The Allentown Art Museum’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, Jan. 20, brought the community together to honor Dr. King’s enduring legacy through music, storytelling and interactive activities. The museum has been hosting the event for about 15 years.

A day of engaging activities

The event, held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featured a variety of family-friendly activities designed to educate and inspire attendees about Dr. King’s life and the principles he championed. The event featured live music, family-friendly story time and poetry readings by various Black and Latino poets.

“I am glad that I went because I enjoy sharing the arts with my son and showing him the richness of the culture,” said Sherrell Francis, Senior Practitioner Consultant, LVPG Professional Services. “I appreciate the art museum putting this event together, in partnership with LVHN, with such thought every year and hope they continue to do so for a long time.”

Community participation and support

The celebration attracted a diverse group of attendees, including families, local officials and community leaders. Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk read “Martin’s Big Words,” a children’s biography of Dr. King, to young participants, emphasizing the importance of his messages of freedom, peace and love.

Participants also had the opportunity to make art together during a special workshop and learn a song to sing together as a choir.

LVHN is a season-long sponsor of the Allentown Art Museum. As such, several LVHN colleagues volunteered their time at the event, underscoring our commitment to community engagement and service.

Reflecting on the importance of commemoration

Commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing pursuit of racial equality and nonviolent social change. The holiday encourages individuals to reflect on Dr. King’s principles and to participate in community service, fostering unity and progress.

Events like the one at the Allentown Art Museum not only honor Dr. King’s legacy but also inspire continued dialogue and action toward a more just and equitable society.

The day’s activities highlighted the community’s dedication to remembering Dr. King’s contributions and to advancing the values he stood for. Through collective participation and reflection, attendees left with a renewed commitment to uphold the ideals of equality, justice and love that Dr. King so passionately advocated.

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