I was just about to consider compiling a list of DC Inauguration events when it occurred to me - I don't have to!  I can refer you to my Soleil-Soulmate, Clarence Davis with Headz Up - serving the DC area!  Clarence and I followed virtually the same path, for virtually the same reasons at virtually the same time!  You'll find a whole lotta events at Headz Up, so make it your source for DC Inauguration planning!

Do We Still Need Affirmative Action

Thursday, January 15, 2009, 12 - 1:15pm

We have just elected the nation's first African-American President, other people of color occupy very high posts in politics, business, medicine and other arenas. So have we progressed enough to no longer need affirmative action and other initiatives to promote diversity in education and business, or do we still have a long way to go? This panel will provide a point and counterpoint in the argument of whether affirmative action is still needed contemporarily.  Stephen Presser, Esq. - Raoul Berger Professor of Legal History, Northwestern Law T. Shawn Taylor - Writer and media consultant, former workplace/labor reporter, Chicago Tribune Arin Reeves, JD/PhD - Diversity Consultant and President, The Athens Group Franita Tolson, Esq. - Visiting Professor of Law, Northwestern Law, Race and the Law , Moderator: Derrick Blakely, Anchor, CBS 2 Chicago

UofC MLK Week - Commemoration & Reception

Thursday, January 15, 2009, 12 - 3pm

12 - 1pm: MLK Commemoration Service; MLK Speaker-Dr. Joseph Lowery; Rockefeller Chapel 1 - 3pm: MLK Reception; Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street, Chicago, Illinois

UofC MLK Week - Citizen King Film Screening

Thursday, January 15, 2009, 5:30 - 8:30pm

The University of Chicago celebrates the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through our annual MLK Week of Events. We bring together students, faculty, staff, and community members as we honor Dr. King's commitment to social justice through community service, programs and activities on- and off-campus, highlighted by our annual keynote address.

Film Discussion: Taxi to the Dark Side

Thursday, January 15, 2009, 6:30 - 9pm

Introduction by Professor Joe Margulies, followed by showing of the HBO film. Winner of the Oscar for documentary feature, Taxi to the Dark Side is a gripping investigation into the reckless abuse of power by the Bush Administration. A documentary murder mystery that examines the death of an Afghan taxi driver at Bagram Air Base, the film exposes a worldwide policy of detention and interrogation that condones torture and the abrogation of human rights. This disturbing and often brutal film is the most incisive examination to date of the Bush Administration's willingness, in its prosecution of the "war on terror," to undermine the essence of the rule of law. The film asks and answers a key question: what happens when a few men use the wartime powers of the executive to undermine the very principles on which the United States was founded?

UofC MLK Week - Integrating the Life of the Mind: African Americans at the University of Chicago, 1870-1940

Friday, January 16, 2009, 11:30am - 1pm

An Exhibition in the Special Collections Research Center, Main Gallery. Exhibition talk & tour. From the late nineteenth century onward, African Americans have pursued studies in undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs at the University of Chicago. By 1943 the University of Chicago had awarded no less than forty-five PhDs to African Americans, more than any other university in the world. The intellectual work of these graduates shaped fields as diverse as sociology and cell biology; helped construct new fields such as African American history and literature; provided leadership at institutions including Howard University, Tuskegee Institute, and Morehouse College; and drove important policy changes on issues such as lynching. Based on the historical and archival collections of the University of Chicago Library, this exhibit presents original manuscripts, rarely seen portraits and photographs, African American publications, books by African American graduates of the University of Chicago, and [more]
 

Chicago Cares Celebration of Service in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Saturday, January 17, 2009, 7:45am - 4:30pm

Join 4,000 volunteers as we build a better Chicago, all to honor Dr. King's legacy. At the Celebration of Service, we challenge you to move from words to deeds through service to your community. Volunteer at one of more than 50 projects taking place all across the city. Build communities by sharing life stories and leading activities with seniors, improve communities through neighborhood beautification efforts, or connect communities by leading cultural fairs and activities for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Volunteers will meet at the United Center before boarding buses to volunteer at your project site.

Martinmas

Monday, January 19, 2009, 10am - 5pm

Celebrate the dreamer, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with the DuSable Museum of African-American history. Special admission prices apply and advance purchase is recommended. For a complete schedule and to pre-purchase your admission, visit the museum website.

"How-to" Web Design Seminar & King Day Celebration

Monday, January 19, 2009, 12 - 6pm

Noon - 3pm. To begin, a Technology Forum made up of students in attendance that will cover the history of technology, its station today and its future. This forum will make up the content for the Website student participants will create. The second session will be spent learning simple website design and Web page building from basic HTML tags and the manipulation of photo's in Adobe Photoshop all the way to uploading pages to the internet. This Website will be used to showcase the Technology Forum discussion held in the earlier session. 3-6pm. Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday and Arts Celebration

Martin Luther King Day Observed

Monday, January 19, 2009, 12 - 1:30pm

Tim Wise, Keynote Presentation - noon - 1:30 p.m., ˇ Welcome: Deans of Northwestern Law and Feinberg School of Medicine ˇ Performance by G3, Chicago youth gospel choir ˇ Presentation of first annual DREAM Award Recipient - Dr. Steve Whitman ˇ Presentation by Global Girls, youth arts performance group ˇ Recitation of excerpts of "I See the Promised Land" - Urban Prep Academy Debate Team ˇ Speaker: Tim Wise, author of White Like Me: Reflections on Race by a Privileged Son - Beyond "Diversity": Challenging Racism in an Age of Backlash Reception to follow immediately after

Northwestern University Campus Observance - Part I

Monday, January 19, 2009, 12 - 1:45pm

Keynote performance by soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples. Ms. Staples, a feature performer of the her family's act The Staples Singers, became the soundtrack of the Civil Right Movement and frequent performer for rallies with Dr. King. Remarks from University community and additional musical performances from the Alice Millar Chapel Choir, Northwestern Community Ensemble, and members of the University Jazz Ensemble.

The Dream Lives On! Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday, January 19, 2009, 7:30 - 9:30pm

Our tribute to the life and legacy of the visionary leader will feature spoken word, gospel music, and orchestral pieces in a joyous and moving celebration.  Sphinx competition winning cellist Patrice Jackson follows up her stunning 2005 debut with the orchestra, a special guest will narrate from Dr. King's famous 1965 Selma, Alabama speech, and we'll welcome back the mighty Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir for another roof-raising collaboration.

Inauguration Day

Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 8:15am - 2:30pm

Enjoy a full day of activities celebrating the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. 8:15 am - Continental Breakfast for DSM Members, 9:00 am - A View from Washington, D.C. - The Inauguration of Barack H. Obama as the 44th President of the United States 12:30 - 2:00 pm - Inauguration Luncheon - Includes food, drink and entertainment.  VIP Full Day Reservation: $44/DuSable Museum Members: $25 Includes continental breakfast, reserved seating for swearing in ceremony, reserved seating for luncheon and inaugural souvenir.  Non Member General Reservation: $30 Includes seating for swearing in ceremony, seating for luncheon and inaugural souvenir. Swearing In Ceremony only: $10, Valet parking available: $6

UofC MLK Week - Progress & Politics Talk and Video-Feed of Presidential Inauguration

Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 10:30am - 1pm

An Exhibition in the Special Collections Research Center, Main Gallery. Exhibition talk & tour.  From the late nineteenth century onward, African Americans have pursued studies in undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs at the University of Chicago. By 1943 the University of Chicago had awarded no less than forty-five PhDs to African Americans, more than any other university in the world. The intellectual work of these graduates shaped fields as diverse as sociology and cell biology; helped construct new fields such as African American history and literature; provided leadership at institutions including Howard University, Tuskegee Institute, and Morehouse College; and drove important policy changes on issues such as lynching. [more]

Celebrate the Making of Change

Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 5pm - 12am

Not everyone can be in Washington, DC to witness the historic inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama. If you can't be in the nation's capital, why not celebrate this event with other supporters and friends right here in the President's hometown? We will be toasting Barack Obama's Swearing-In in the Red Room at Exposure Restaurant & Lounge.  The evening festivities include: * Dinner Buffet * Musical Entertainment * Champagne Toast to Our New President * Drink Specials Featuring: "The Presidential" * Obama Give-Aways *Onsite Venders Offering Obama's Paraphernalia * 10ft Big Screen * Plasma Televisions * & Kandi Conda, Speaker & Author 6-Time Successful Author of The Turning Point of Success"

Soleil's Pick: Inaugural Ball

Tuesday, January 20th, 6-10pm

Bronzeville A.E.R. (Arts, Entertainment, Retail) Salutes Mr. President Barack Obama - Man of Change. Bronzeville Black Metropolis, Bronze Room - located inside the Historic Parkway Ballroom. Grey Goose Cocktails and Hors d'Ouevres.  Live webcasts from the Inaugural Balls in Washington, DC; continuous loop of the taped broadcast of the Inauguration Ceremonies; award-winning Interactive Smart Board Technology, as seen on CNN; DJ & Dancing; valet parking available. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Teens Cybertech Café NGY.  Hosted by Clifford Rome - Parkway Ballroom and Rome's Joy Catering; Darryl Petty - Blu 47 Restaurant; Bryant Johnson - Steelelife Gallery; Norman Bolden - Room 43; Andre and Frances Guichard and Stephen Mitchell of Gallery Guichard; Faye Edwars of faie African Art.

Soleil's Take: My pick because it's in an historic location, it's in Obama's 'hood (kinda), anyone of any age should feel comfortable there, the food will be tasty and the energy incredible!

Kedra Cares Inc. Inauguration Celebration

Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 6pm - 12am

The Largest Inauguration Day Celebration

Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 6pm - 12am