Cuyahoga Community CollegeDr. Martin Luther King, Jr Annual Birthday Observance
Since 1977, Tri-C has been honoring the life, legacy and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with an annual Birthday Observance, where we welcome the community to an afternoon of reflection, scholastic celebration and music.
We invite you to enjoy a recap of the January 2018 event below.
Tri-C’s 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration draws thousands to Playhouse Square
Each year, Tri-C hosts a free community celebration in observance of Dr. King's birthday – the longest-running MLK event hosted in Cleveland. This year's festivities, helmed by WKYC Anchor Russ Mitchell, began with the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra's debut of a piano concerto written by Cleveland composer Jimmie A. Parker, Sr.
Tri-C President Alex Johnson then welcomed Tri-C's MLK Scholarship winners to the Connor Palace stage (photo). Two talented local student orators – Morehouse College Junior Tyler Wynne and Cleveland Wade Park School 7th Grader Madison Reid – spoke on the idea that “Failure is not Final.”
Rounding out the celebration – a rousing performance by three-time Grammy winner Donnie McClurkin. Tri-C VP of Government Relations Claire Rosacco noted, “It is an honor for Tri-C to observe Dr. King’s birthday each year and welcome thousands of community members to celebrate with us in the historic and beautiful Playhouse Square setting." Since 1991, Tri-C's Foundation has helped Tri-C students "put wings on their dreams" by helping fund students through the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Scholarship.
