“Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing stream,” Dr. Martin Luther King wrote in a historic letter to other ministers from a Birmingham, Ala., jail cell.

        His quote from the prophet Amos is one of the many biblical and historic references he used to show the ministers, a group of white “moderates,” that non-violent protest is morally right.

        It was 1963, after the bus boycotts, the lunch counter protests and nationally televised clashes between police and peaceful protesters. The ministers, in a letter to Dr. King's supporters, warned that protest brings more violence. Blacks should be patient and wait for change, they wrote, be law-abiding and negotiate with city leaders.

        Dr. King's written response is often quoted today by blacks and whites. In upcoming weeks, the Tristate will honor Dr. King's words — and his life, work and death — at community programs, most of which are free.

        The University of Cincinnati started Friday evening with a march and guest speaker Donald Brown of Boston College University, who asked, “Are we living out the dream?”

        Other scheduled events:
       

Saturday
               Scholarship awards and banquet at Music Hall, 1213 Elm St., by the Sentinel Police Association and the Cincinnati African American Firefighters' Association. Speaker: federal Judge Nathaniel Jones on “Freedom is Not Free.” Four students each receive $1,000 scholarships. Cocktails at 6 p.m. $40. Attire: Black tie or African.

        “Convene for the Dream,” Northern Kentucky's regional celebration, 9:30 a.m., discussion breakfast at Our Savior Church, East 10th Street, Covington.
       

Jan. 20
               In Covington, evening prayer, singing and worship, 7 p.m., at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, 12th and Madison.

        The College Hill Ministerium hosts a community service, 7 p.m., Gulden Center at Twin Towers Retirement Community, 5343 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati Vice Mayor Alicia Reece keynotes “Impossible Dreams.”
       

Jan. 21
               Cincinnati's Memorial March at Fountain Square, 11:15 a.m. with ecumenical prayers and remarks. March goes to Music Hall. Speakers: Ed Rigaud, president of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Steve Reece, business owner, and his daughter, Ms. Reece. Music by the Martin Luther King Jr. Chorale.

        Northern Kentucky Community Center, 824 Greenup St., Covington, hosts family activities. Noon.

        The World Peace Bell, Newport, is the site of “The Ghost of Harriet Tubman” at 4 p.m. Candlelight march at 6 p.m.

        The “Convene for the Dream Celebration” at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, Covington, 7-9 p.m. Speaker: the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth.

        Forest Chapel United Methodist, 680 W. Sharon Road, hosts worship service, 7 p.m. Choirs: Quinn Chapel AME Church, Greenhills Presbyterian Church, and Cottonwood Elementary School in Mount Healthy. Drama: The Rev. Janette Shegog, pastor of Mount Zion United Methodist Church.
       

Feb. 9
               The AMOS Project Fundraising Banquet at the Cintas Center on Xavier University's campus. Speaker: Dr. C.T. Vivian, a colleague of Dr. King's who led sit-ins in Nashville and is expert in interracial conflict resolution.

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