By Gail Hairston

(Feb. 16, 2015) — The Lexington NAACP continues to make history by co-sponsoring events at the University of Kentucky Martin Luther King Center.

The civil rights organization is supporting the center’s January and February Soup & Substance programs, a monthly public discussion group that typically debates a current event.

On Jan. 15, the Lexington NAACP co-sponsored the successful Martin Luther King Jr. Silent March and Vigil. On Feb. 19, the event will focus on cultural segregation, the second part of a Soup & Substance discussion held in November. The continuation of the discussion was not initially planned, but was scheduled because “attendees overwhelmingly asked us to continue, and the Lexington NAACP generously offered to sponsor,” said KahlilBaker, director of the UK King Center.

The Feb. 19 discussion also complements the MLK Center’s Feb. 17 showing of “Dear White People.” In partnership with the Student Center’s Late Night Film Series, the movie will be followed by a Q&A session and discussion with the movie director Justin Simien. 

“It is imperative that we as individuals and a collective group of persons remember, respect and relive the brave stories of how people recognized and planned to pursue rights that they believe belonged to all people,” said William Saunders, president of the Lexington Chapter of the NAACP. "The creative force of the universe has given us a brain and intellect to analyze what is going on in the system; that's why we stress education as such a fundamental principle of the success of America. Each time we encounter young people, we must remind them of the great sacrifice that was made by our forefathers for a generation of peoples that quite possibly they would never get to meet.

“NAACP is so very proud of the accomplishment of these students who continue to invest long hours and many sleepless nights to pursue their goals and enhance their lives. We will continue to support the MLK Center of the University of Kentucky.”

The remainder of Black History Month events on the UK King Center’s calendar includes:

Monday, Feb. 16

Majestic Unity presents “The Thirst Is Real” with special guest and author of “I’m Winning, I Promise,” Diana Anosike

King Center, 6 p.m.

Cat’s Den Spades Tournament

Cats Den, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 17

King Center and Late Night Film Series presents “Dear White People.” A viewing and chat with director Justin Simien

Memorial Hall, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 18

Latino Student Union presents The Forgotten Root: History of Black Latinos

King Center, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 19

Shades of Pride presents an African-American LGBTQ history panel discussion

Center Theatre, Student Center, 3:30 p.m.

King Center presents Soup & Substance: Cultural Segregation Part 2

King Center, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 20

African American LGBTQ history lecture with Jennifer Jones

Great Hall, King Library, 2nd Floor. 4 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 23

Common Reading Experience presents Laura Simms, a prominent storyteller, writer and humanitarian. Simms is the mother of the 2014-2015 Common Reading Experience author Ishmael Beah. 

Memorial Hall, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Black Student Union presents a Progressive Dinner

Student Center, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 26

A.C.E.S Black and Latino Symposium

Louisville (Contact MLK staff for more information)

Saturday, Feb. 28

Black Student Union presents Apollo

Singletary Center for the Arts, 7 p.m.