One of the most powerful women in American politics will launch Ohio State’s 31st annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday celebration with a discussion in the Ohio Union Ballroom tonight.

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., is serving her sixth term in the House of Representatives, as well as her second term as Chief Deputy Whip of the Democratic Party.

“She’s a champion of women, people of color, children, the poor — the same principles of Dr. King,” said Larry Williamson, director of the Hale Black Cultural Center.

Waters’ accomplishments and influential leadership skills made her the prime choice for tonight’s event.

“She’s a dreamer. She has a vision, and she challenges,” Williamson said. Sponsors include the Hale Center, but Williamson pointed to other businesses throughout the community.

“It’s really a collaboration between the community and OSU,” Williamson said. The program, titled “Celebrating the Legacy,” will begin at 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

On Friday and Saturday, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra will perform “African Portrait,” a 60-minute oratorio composed by musician Hannibal Lokumbe.

On Monday, Project Community, the Ohio Union and Lazarus will sponsor the sixth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

After an opening program, volunteers will depart to service sites in Columbus, including Children’s Hospital and Habitat for Humanity.

“About 260 people participated last year, but we’re hoping for 300 to 500 this year,” Bossard said.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. in the West Ballrooms of the Ohio Union, but Jen Bossard, coordinator of Project Community, advises participants to register at www.ohiounion.com/mlk.

“It’s easier, and participants have the option to choose which area to volunteer,” Bossard said.

Iota Phi Theta will cap off the day’s celebration with its second annual Martin Luther King Jr. March of volunteers and Iota Phi Theta members to downtown Columbus.

Earnest Franklin Jr., social chairman of Iota Phi Theta and coordinator of the event, said King inspires the fraternity to “promote unity among the OSU campus.”

King aimed for equality and unity, and the march is the organizers’ contribution to the improvement of those aspects on campus, Franklin said.

Participants will depart from the Hale Center at 3:30 p.m. and march downtown, merging with a citywide celebration at City Hall.

Last year, Iota Phi Theta gathered about 300 participants for the march, but Franklin hopes for 500 marchers Monday.