Norwich — The 36th annual Martin Luther King birthday celebration and march will be held virtually this month, with online video programs on Friday, Jan. 15, and Monday, Jan. 18.

The Norwich branch of the NAACP, the Robertsine Duncan Youth Council and Norwich Free Academy will co-host the virtual 36th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration, March and Service. The theme for this year’s celebration is “When We Dare to Dream, We Strive to Build.”

The virtual birthday celebration will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, with state Rep. Brandon L. McGee Jr., D-Hartford, delivering the keynote speech. The 2021 Robertsine Duncan Memorial Award, given to an individual or organization for outstanding youth service and advocacy, will be presented to Celia Seifert, volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul Place soup kitchen.

The NAACP Norwich Branch Leadership and Advocacy Scholarship Awards will be presented to active members of the NAACP Robertsine Duncan Youth Council who demonstrate leadership, advocacy and impact for youth to emulate in the community.

Registration is required to attend, with a suggested donation of $25 for adults and $10 for youth. A portion of the adult cost helps to fund the NAACP Norwich Branch Scholarship Fund and other youth-oriented programs throughout the year. The registration deadline is Jan. 12.

The virtual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March and Service Program will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, with a celebratory reflection delivered by attorney Lonnie Braxton II. The program will include video from past marches and prerecorded video of members of the Robertsine Duncan Youth Council conducting a march prior to the event.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required by Jan. 16.

To register and for more information, visit www.naacpnorwichbranch.org or call (860) 886-1686.