GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College will host its 25th celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day with an expanded lineup of workshops that organizers hope will engage the community in new ways.

“GCC is obviously such a social and cultural hub in Franklin County,” said Associate Dean of Community Engagement Judy Raper, who has been involved in organizing the event since she was hired at the college in 2007. “Honoring the legacy of someone who had such a profound impact as Dr. King — I think GCC is the perfect place to host that event.”

The celebration will take place on Monday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Advance registration is encouraged at tinyurl.com/MLKDayGCC.

The main event — which will feature keynote speaker and GCC alumna La Wanza Lett-Brewington — will be preceded by several workshops for people of all ages, including an African dance fitness program led by Positively Africana; a story hour in the library hosted by Mpress Bennu, chair of the Greenfield Human Rights Commission; and a civil rights poster workshop led by Looky Here.

“We really expanded the event about four or fives years ago, and then COVID hit,” said Raper. In addition to a keynote speaker and a choir performance, workshops were added to the program. “We have dance; we have drumming; we have art.”

These workshops and others will take place from 10:30 to 11:20 a.m. in venues at GCC. Registration will be available at 10 a.m. in the college’s main lobby.

The formal event will begin with a welcome from GCC President Michelle Schutt, followed by the keynote speech by Lett-Brewington, who is a nationally known speaker on leadership, Title IX, equity and social justice. She was also recently recognized as one of 50 distinguished alumni of GCC, where she currently serves as Title IX coordinator and affirmative action officer.

“It is incredibly meaningful that GCC serves as a hub to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Schutt said. “Dr. King was best known for his nonviolent activism and advocacy for racial equality, justice and social change. His work is so closely aligned with our mission of providing a high-quality education to all who seek the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive and effect positive change in their lives, communities and the world.”

The celebration will end with a performance by the GCC Community Chorus and students from the Twice as Smart youth group.

“The values Dr. King emulated are still relevant, particularly in light of the violence and incivility we witness daily in our society,” Schutt continued. “It is essential in the college’s quest to promote peace and understanding that we remember, honor and espouse the activism of Martin Luther King Jr. to ensure a better tomorrow.”

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter (X): @MaryEByrne.