ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø invites the community to MLK Day keynote panel discussion

ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø invites the public to attend an MLK Day keynote panel discussion, ¡°Acts of Compassion: Turning Care into Change.¡± The panel discussion will be Monday, Jan. 19, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Centennial Hall, located at 3703 7th Ave., Rock Island. The event is free.

Community members who cannot attend the discussion can view a livestream of the event at https://augustana.edu/mlk2026

The MLK Day keynote panel, ¡°Acts of Compassion: Turning Care into Change,¡± is a part of ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø's annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy, which will take place from Jan. 19-23. The theme of the event is "The Fierce Urgency of Now: Compassion in Action."

The ¡°Acts of Compassion: Turning Care into Change¡± panel discussion will include four leaders whose work reflects Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.¡¯s call to respond to the fierce urgency of now with empathy, courage and meaningful action. 

Panelists include:

• Christie Adamson, co-founder and director, The Third Place QC
• Bonnie Ballard, president, Rock Island County NAACP Branch #3268
• Alejandra Camacho ¡®19, director of empowerment programs, World Relief Quad Cities
• Edwin Salazar, director, ThePlace2B

The moderator for the panel discussion will be ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø Assistant Professor of Art Larissa Frimprong.

The panelists will address some of the most pressing challenges facing communities, including food insecurity to a growing social division, through service, advocacy and collaborative partnerships. They will reflect on how compassion becomes a catalyst for justice, what it means to move from awareness to sustainable action, and how each of us can help build a more caring and equitable community.

Dr. Gauri Pitale, ÖйúÌå²ÊÍø¡¯s vice president for culture and connection, said she believes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taught society that change can lead to great impact.

¡°Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. consistently reminded us that meaningful social change begins with holding a mirror to ourselves,¡± said Dr. Pitale. ¡±As we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in our nation¡¯s history, his legacy calls us to reflect on how our actions, choices and values shape the world around us. 

¡°Dr. King showed us that compassion is not passive, but active, and that kindness, dignity and care for one another are essential to building a just and productive society.¡±