Somerville celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. on MLK Day, Monday, January 16.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the Somerville Office of Commissions and the Somerville Public Schools announce the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration event, entitled, “A Call to Action.”  The 2012 event will be held, for the first time, at the Somerville Theatre on Monday, January 16  from 11am – 1pm, and will include a keynote speech by Chief Legal Counsel for Governor Deval Patrick, William “Mo” Cowan, live music by JG & the Megatones, a display of Somerville student essays in response to the 2012 theme “A Call to Action,” and an award presentation to community members who exemplify MLK’s legacy in the Somerville community.  The event is free and open to the public.

“As we begin another new year, we look forward to once again honoring and commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy by honoring individuals in our own community who are dedicated to furthering Dr. King’s dream,” said Mayor Curtatone.  “Each year, our celebration grows in size and success, and we are honored to be joined this year by Mr. Cowan as our keynote speaker.  I look forward to celebrating Dr. King with our community members, and to continuing to advance his goals and values in 2012.”

Along with the keynote address, the celebration will include live music and dance performances and refreshments.

William “Mo” Cowan is the Chief Legal Counsel for Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and is a former member of the litigation section at the Boston-based law firm Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glosky & Popeo PC. He has been named a “Top 5% Massachusetts litigator” by Law and Politics magazine and a “40 Under 40” business leader by Boston Business Journal. He is the former president of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association and a current member of the Northeastern University Corp.

The event is organized in cooperation with the City Of Somerville Health Department Human Rights Commission, Community Action Agency of Somerville, The Welcome Project, Somerville Commission for Women, Fair Housing Commission, Commission for People with Disabilities, Elizabeth Peabody House, VISTA Volunteers, and Centro Presente.

Special thanks are given to local restaurants Yak and Yeti, Sweet Ginger and Instanbu’lu for their support and sponsorship of the 2012 event.