Regina Shands Stoltzfus

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Civil Rights Commission and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission will be hosting the State of Indiana’s 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Celebration Thursday, Jan. 14, at the Indiana Statehouse.

Among the honorees will be Goshen College Professor Regina Shands Stoltzfus, who is to receive the Spirit of Justice Award.

The program will include the presentation of four awards that will be given to Hoosiers who have worked diligently to improve their communities in a manner that exemplifies the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Other 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Celebration Award recipients are as follows:

• Freedom Award: Greg Easton, principal of Morton High School, Hammond
• Chairman’s Award: Adrian M. Brooks Sr., pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Evansville
• Citizen Advocate Award: Kendra Johnson, community advocate, Gary

In addition to the above mentioned awards, the Passing the Torch Award will be presented to the winner of this year’s art, Writing & Multi-media Contest.

“We are excited to honor Hoosiers who have continued the dream of Dr. King through their work in making Indiana such a great place to live,” said Jamal L. Smith, executive director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.”

The program, which is open to the public for no charge, begins at 12:30 p.m. and is expected to bring together more than 500 students, state employees, local and state government officials, human rights agencies and Indiana residents from across the state to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The program’s keynote performer will be award winning journalist Anita Woodley and will feature addresses from Indiana Governor Michael Pence and ICRC Executive Director Jamal Smith.

The following day, Friday, Jan. 15, the ICRC will host the fifth annual Day of Service. This event is also open to the public and provides an opportunity to give back as we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Participants will gather at Watkin’s Family Park, Indianapolis, at 8 a.m. to hear words of encouragement from community leaders before choosing group community service tasks.