Austin, TX—This week, the Austin Independent School District honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the anniversary of his birth—Jan. 15, 1929—and celebrates the 50^th anniversary of the year the civil rights leader delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D.C.

Who: Superintendent Meria Carstarphen joins AISD team members and students, including Devin Domino from Austin High School, Cantrell Gains from Travis High School and Keyanna Mack from Kealing Middle School.

What: AISD’s annual celebration of King’s legacy for central administration team members, featuring students who will read their essays based on the theme, “Do the Right Thing,” and a musical tribute by the Dobie Middle School choir.

When:  9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15

Where: AISD Board Auditorium, 1111 W. 6^th St.

Background: Each year, the district requests three schools to select students to write essays as an opportunity for the young leaders to share their perspectives about King’s legacy. This year, the students will read essays based on King’s quotes, “Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake,” and “The time is always right to do the right thing.”

More than 7,500 African American students are enrolled in the district this school year, comprising 8.7 percent of about 86,600 AISD students.