(KNSI) — The public will get its first look at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Learning Center in St. Cloud during an open house on Friday.
The facility is attached to Higher Works Collaborative in Midtown Square Mall and is operated by the nonprofit. CEO Buddy King says it is the only privately owned space dedicated to educating St. Cloud’s Black community. He talked about what will take place at the open house.
“We’ll have a couple of testimonials from those who have benefited from our programs and one who benefits from the use of this space. It is a mini happy hour. So we hope to have small appetizers for those that are coming in Friday before they go home. The event itself is 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and We will do most tours between three and four. We’ll do a small program for probably about a half hour. And then, the rest is social networking and continue tours and take pictures and whatever else people want to do at that time.”
The MLK learning center will hold parenting classes, parental visitation, and education outreach.
The learning center will include the Charles Ellis Engineering Room, featuring VEX robotics, STEM engineering, and computer coding. The Ruby Bridges is a sensory lounge for overstimulated kids to help them relax. There is a lounge for young people to do their homework while their parents take courses or participate in workshops. Nursing mothers can also use the space.
The learning center also features the W.E.B Du Bois Library featuring authors of color. The learning center is working on getting donations to fill its shelves.
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