The 13th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, to be held Thursday, Jan. 17, promises a time of reflection and inspiration for invited community members, public officials and employees.

Retired CBS 5 Eyewitness News anchor Barbara Rodgers will deliver the keynote speech. The Mike Rose Quartet will provide musical entertainment.

For the fifth year, Dow hosted an essay contest for local high school students. This year, students were asked to write about an event that shaped their life and how being silent had (or could have) made an impact. The winning essay will be read by its author, Bernardo Zepeda, a senior at Black Diamond High School. In addition, a community award and an employee award will be given to two individuals who most exemplify the ideas of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The recipient of the Community Award is Frances Wilson, executive director of the East Bay Junior National Society of Black Engineers. The recipient of the Dow Employee Award is Ivan Elizondo, a mechanical engineer who has demonstrated a true commitment to diversity in the workplace.