AMHERST — The life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be celebrated in Amherst this Sunday on what would have been the civil rights leader’s 94th birthday.

The Human Rights Commission is sponsoring the event, which begins at 2 p.m. on the steps of Town Hall with the reading of a Town Council proclamation, adopted by councilors this week, and a ringing of the bells.

The proclamation notes King’s April 1961 visits to both Amherst and Northampton and that the council “encourages Amherst residents to observe this holiday not only by reflecting on Dr. King’s legacy, but also by actively serving others.”

Those who participate will then go into the Town Room for a community reading of King’s April 10, 1957 speech “A Realistic Look at the Question of Progress in the Area of Race Relations.” That will be followed by a discussion.

Jennifer Moyston, assistant director of the town’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department, said audio of King giving the speech will also be played. Moyston added that the event is timed to coincide with King’s birthday.

The DEI department on Tuesday will then participate in the National Day of Racial Healing. For almost a decade, the Kellogg Foundation has asked communities, schools, colleges, universities, businesses and other organizations to participate in conversations designed help bridge the racial divide.

Core DEI and Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service members will facilitate small group conversations from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road. Child care, beverages and snacks will be provided.

A similar event will be held during the day for municipal staff.

Cultural grant

The Amherst Cultural District has been awarded a grant of $15,000 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council through its Mass Cultural District Program.

The grant will be used to create a virtual and physical walking tour of downtown, from the Emily Dickinson Museum to public art murals, as well as Amherst Cinema and The Drake and a Spring Arts and Cultural Block Party in collaboration with the Amherst Cultural Council, the Amherst Business Improvement District and the Downtown Amherst Foundation.

“We look forward to celebrating our artists, makers and creators at a brand new event and to bringing a new walking tour that incorporates our architecture, stained glass treasures, Civil War tablets, public art, and brick and mortar institutions to visitors and virtually to the entire world,” BID Executive Director Gabrielle Gould said in a statement.

Judy Brooks Conversation Series

“Our Fragile Democracy and the Role of Engaged Citizenry” is the title of the next talk, by speaker Sudha Setty, sponsored by the Amherst League of Women Voters as part of its Racial Justice Committee’s monthly Judy Brooks Conversation Series.

The online conversation is Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Setty is the dean of the New York School of Law. She will offer ideas for how an engaged citizenry can play a meaningful and significant role in protecting democracy and its institutions.

Go to lwvamherst.org for the Zoom link.

Dance program grant

The Amherst Regional High School dance program recently received a $6,100 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support a Stars Residency by artist Brendalíz Cepeda, the director of Bomba De Aquí.

Cepeda will visit the Conjunto de Bomba class each week during the spring semester.

The dance program, in its 20th year, is also partnering with the 80 Acres School for Black Liberation.

Dance teacher Remy Fernández- O’Brien and parent Lissa Pierce Bonifaz wrote the grant proposal, according to the school’s weekly newsletter.

To mark the anniversary, a Community Bombazo and Potluck is being celebrated Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Winter weather alerts

Though little snow and ice has impacted Amherst so far this winter, the town is encouraging people to sign up for emergency and parking ban alerts via text, email or phone call.

Go to amherstma.gov for more information.

Meetings

TUESDAY: Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Energy and Climate Action Committee, 4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Solar Bylaw Working Group, 11:30 a.m.

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