“Strength to Lead, Courage to Love” will be the theme of this year’s Unity Celebration, which will take place Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Savage Arena on The University of Toledo’s Main Campus.

Unity Celebration honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who led movements and marches in the name of equality. Mayor Carty Finkbeiner and UT President Lloyd Jacobs are scheduled to speak.

There will be a parade of nations from Toledo Sister Cities International, and a processional of youth, student, business and union leaders, as well as clergy members, educational representatives, elected officials, social service agencies and community organizations.

Performances scheduled feature the Clarence Smith Community Chorus and students from the Positive Force Christian School of Dance. The UT Student African-American Brotherhood will deliver presentations of the civil rights leader’s speeches and offer reflections on his teachings. A video tribute to King also will be shown.

Special recognition will be given to members of the U.S. military forces. Immediately following the program, a community luncheon will be held in the west lobby of Savage Arena.

For more information on this free, public event, contact Deb Driscoll, UT director of special events, at 419.530.2200, or the Toledo Board of Community Relations at 419.245.1565.