"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Strength to Love, 1963.

Local Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events:

King for A Day, The MLK Day of Action and Advocacy

MLK Luminary Event 

25th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address

Expressions of King’s Legacy



Annual MLK Living the Dream Series

RELC Co-Chair Role

The Center for Dispute Settlement (CDS) is seeking one or two committee chairs to lead our Racial Equity Leadership Committee (RELC), which is made up of staff and community members.

To apply, email President/CEO Shira May at smay@cdsadr.org with a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications to chair this committee.

About RELC

• Mission: To ensure humanity and dignity are afforded to everyone who walks through our doors.
• Vision: Establish an organizational culture that ensures diverse, equitable and inclusive practices are present in all we do.

Role of RELC Chair or Co-Chairs:

• Stipend: $500/year (one year commitment requested)
• Time commitment:
• One RELC meeting per month (90 minutes) on Zoom
• Participate in one Pillar group, and work on tasks as needed
• PILLARS INCLUDE:
• Education and Training
• Creating Space for Dialogue
• Strategic Planning
• Policy
• Meet to plan the agenda with co-chair and/or President/CEO
• Meet outside of RELC as needed to work on tasks
• Responsibilities:
• Create the agenda and send it out with the Zoom link in advance of the meeting
• Delegate/share responsibility for taking notes, and make sure notes are forwarded to committee members
• Facilitate RELC committee discussion about DEIB issues and how they affects our agency, the work that we do, who we partner with, etc.
• Organize committee meetings, keep the group focused, equally share input along with other committee members

Shira May (President/CEO) and CaTyra Polland (Training & Community Engagement Coordinator) presented Microaggressions 101 to faculty and staff at Northeast College of Health Sciences in Seneca Falls, NY. The presentation covered key terms such as bias, inclusion, and belonging. Attendees did reflective writing tasks and learned about the types and impact of microagressions in the workplace.

One attendee was particularly inspired by Dr. Joy DeGruy's A Trip to the Grocery Store, stating it forced her to recognize her influence as a bystander during microaggresive situations.

Community Building Restorative Circles Training 

Spring 2026  

FREE & OPEN TO K-12 EDUCATORS

Community Building Circles are a foundational restorative practice that, using a structured and intentional process, promote trust and relationship building as well as establish a method to host important conversation for students, staff, and faculty. Experience with Community Building Circles provides the necessary basis for successful use of responsive restorative practices, for both facilitators and participants, while simultaneously reducing incidents of harm.  

Designed for faculty, school social workers, principals, and other student support staff, this three-day training offers hands-on and skill-focused learning experience. Participants will gain the understanding, skills, and mindset needed to become confident circle keepers in their classroom and school communities. On site coaching by experienced circle keepers will be available to provide attendees feedback and support.

Participants will learn:

• Basic principles and values of restorative justice and how they relate to restorative circles
• Circle design and facilitation practices that promote a sense of community, honest sharing, and deeper listening.

Request CDS Training

If your organization, school, or business is interested in training by the Center for Dispute Settlement, please submit a training inquiry form.

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