Calendar of Events

The Progress for Civil Rights Continues:
Celebrating 45 years of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Legacy

A variety of exciting and educational opportunities will be offered to the MSU community in celebration of the legacy of Dr. King and historical events that took place in our nation and on our campus. 

MLK questions can be directed to Audrey Bentley.

graphic of MLK with the theme for 2024

Add your event for 2025

ADD YOUR EVENT: If your unit or department is planning an event for this year's celebration, please complete this form to be added to the compiled list of activities for this year. Details about events should be submitted as soon as possible in order to be included in event promotion. 

 

2025 Events

The line-up of events for the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration is included below!

mlkstudentevents.pngThe icon displayed at the right designates student-led events organized by the MLK Student Planning Committee

 

Events Happening All Week

  • MLK Commemorative Celebration Stuff the Library Event

    Hosted by: Alumni Office / Center for Community Engaged Learning / University Health and Wellbeing – MSU Student Food Bank

    Dec. 16 through Feb. 28

    Event Description
    Imagine a world where all children can see themselves in the pages of a book. Imagine a world where books can be windows to learn about other cultures, critical contributors to our world, and movements that have helped to shape our nation.

    The MSU Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration Planning Committee is hosting another Stuff the Library event as a component of this year's celebration to benefit the Lansing Public School System. The event aims to fill school libraries with books on social justice topics and characters representing diverse backgrounds.

    Give to the MLK Jr. Day Fund and help make a difference!
    Will you help us reach our goal of $5,000 and over 1,000 books donated? Through our partnerships with local schools and organizations, your support helps raise awareness around social justice, assists in promoting books with diverse representation or characters, stories and authors, and gets the books into the hands of children ages 0-18 in the City of Lansing.

    *Gifts to the MLK Jr. Day Fund support the purchase of books for this project by the MSU Center for Community Engaged Learning. Books can also be purchased directly through the Commemorative Celebration Planning Committee’s Amazon Wishlist.*

    Visit the Giving Page to make an online gift: givingto.msu.edu/crowdpower/dr-martin-luther-king-commemorative-celebration

    You can also mail or drop off books to: 

    MSU Student Food Bank
    C/O MLK Stuff the Library
    463 E Circle Drive
    Olin Health Center, Suite 151
    East Lansing MI 48824

    Event Contact 

    • Dan DiMaggio, Director of Student Engagement for MSU Alumni Office/University Advancement, dimaggi2@msu.edu

Thursday, Jan. 16 

  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Unity Dinner

    Hosted by: Residence Education and Housing Services / Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion / Residence Halls Association

    Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025
    5:30-7:30 p.m. (doors open at 4:45 p.m.)

    Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, Big Ten Rooms
    219 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing, MI 48824

    Registration
    This event is free, and registration is required: go.msu.edu/mlkrsvp

    Seating is limited. Everyone who makes reservations should receive an email with tickets to the event. To enter the dinner, please bring your printed tickets, or eTickets on your phone. Staff will scan you in near the entrance of the Big Ten Rooms at the Kellogg Center. Coat racks will be available in the Centennial Room, located directly across the hall from the Big Ten Rooms.

    Event Description
    Community was extremely important to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During his short lifetime of 39 years, he came to understand and appreciate the interrelatedness of all humanity. Dr. King would repeatedly say in speeches and writings that, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.”

    Please join us for a wonderful buffet dinner and program! Along with announcing this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Endowed Scholarship recipients, the program will feature an inspiring Keynote Speaker Sharon Chia Claros, DEIB Practitioner/Scholar, Graduate and Undergraduate speakers, musical performances, as well as remarks from MSU President Dr. Kevin M. Guskiewicz and MSU Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Jabbar Bennett.

Friday, Jan. 17

  • Weekend Wellness: A Dreamer’s Mindset Event

    mlkstudentevents.pngHealthy Strategies for Achieving Wellness and Building Community

    Hosted by: Student Planning Committee / Residence Halls Association / Recreational Sports and Fitness Services / Department of Student Development and Leadership

    Friday, Jan. 17, 2025
    5-7 p.m. – "Spartan Glow and Flow" Family Skating Event
    6:30-9 p.m. – Health and Wellness Fair
    8 p.m.-midnight – Late Night “Spartan Glow and Flow” Skating Event

    IM East
    804 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing, MI 48825

    Event Description
    In recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy of living with intention, the MLK Student Planning Committee within the MLK Commemorative Celebration Committee and Recreational Sports and Fitness Services will host a Health and Wellness Fair and the “Spartan Glow and Flow” roller skating event. The event will promote campus-wide wellness and healthy goal setting grounded in an unwavering commitment to perseverance and building community.

    The event schedule is as follows: 

    • 5-7 p.m. – Family Skate
    • 6:30-9 p.m. – Health and Wellness Fair
    • 8 p.m.-midnight – Late Night “Spartan Glow and Flow” Skating Event


    In addition to skating, the event will feature an informational health and wellness fair, workshops focused on being proactive with your health and wellness for the semester, wellness activity stations, and a pop-up roller skating rink.

    Skates will be provided free of charge to all participants. Giveaways and food will be provided. All participants will receive t-shirts while supplies last.

    Event Contacts 

    • Kaden Johnson, MLK Student Planning Committee Undergraduate Student Co-chair, john8130@msu.edu
    • Jakaira Lynn, MLK Student Planning Committee Graduate Student Co-chair, lynnjaka@msu.edu

Saturday, Jan. 18

  • MLK Student Symposium – Voices of the Dream: For Us, By Us

    mlkstudentevents.pngHosted by: Student Planning Committee / Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion / Office of Spartan Experiences

    Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025
    2:45-6:45 p.m. (check-in begins at 2:15 p.m.)

    MSU Union, Ballroom & Lake Erie
    49 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48824

    Registration

    The event is FREE to MSU students; however, you must register no later than Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2f2K8psLvvscuCa

    Event Description
    Join the MLK Student Planning Committee within the MLK Commemorative Celebration Committee for the inaugural MLK Student Symposium, featuring keynote speakers, presentations, entertainment and a soul food dinner as well as an informational and student organizational resource fair. A symposium packet including swag will be provided to all registered participants while supplies last.

    Voices of the Dream: For Us, By Us is a powerful student-led event designed to empower students to raise their voices and advocate for themselves on critical issues faced while attending a PWI (Predominantly White Institution). Through the art of conversation and creative expression, this event offers space for authentic dialogue, allowing students to share their experiences, express their identities, discuss challenges faced within systemic barriers, and promote inspiration for change. By fostering a sense of community and solidarity, For Us, By Us encourages students to take ownership of their narratives and push for a more inclusive campus environment.

    MLK Student Symposium Schedule

    • 2:15 p.m. – Registration/Check-in
    • 2:45-3:05 p.m. – Welcome, Introductions and Symposium Overview
    • 3:05-4:05 p.m. – Group Session: “Building Community” (facilitated large group discussion)
    • 4:10-4:15 p.m. – Transition to Breakout Session
    • 4:15-5:15 p.m. – Breakout Sessions (select one; attendees will choose their session in advance)
      • Session 1: “Being the Only: Navigating the PWI Experience”
      • Session 2: “Checking on You: Mental Health & Wellbeing in Challenging Environments”
      • Session 3: “Navigating Life at a PWI: Understanding Institutional Racism and Advocating for Yourself”
    • 5:15-5:20 p.m. – Short Break
    • 5:20 p.m. – Soul Food Dinner (opportunity for networking and informal conversations)
    • 5:35-6:40 p.m. – Showcase of Student Work/Performances (students present creative work that reflects the event theme)
    • 6:40-6:45 p.m. – Closing Remarks and Thank You

    Event Contacts 

    • Kaden Johnson, MLK Student Planning Committee Undergraduate Student Co-chair, john8130@msu.edu
    • Jakaira Lynn, MLK Student Planning Committee Graduate Student Co-chair, lynnjaka@msu.edu

Sunday, Jan. 19

  • MLK Student Committee Ecumenical Service

    mlkstudentevents.pngHosted by: Student Planning Committee

    Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025
    1:30 p.m.

    MSU Alumni Memorial Chapel
    636 Auditorium Road, East Lansing, MI 48824

    Registration
    The event is free to attend; registration is not required.

    Event Description
    Join the MLK Student Planning Committee within the MLK Commemorative Celebration Committee for the annual Ecumenical Service. The program will feature a speaker from “Truth Seekers” and the MSU Gospel Choir. A soul food reception will immediately follow the Ecumenical Service.

    Event Contacts

    • Kaden Johnson, MLK Student Planning Committee Undergraduate Student Co-chair, john8130@msu.edu
    • Jakaira Lynn, MLK Student Planning Committee Graduate Student Co-chair, lynnjaka@msu.edu
  • Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest Concert

    Hosted by: College of Music

    Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025
    3 p.m.

    Fairchild Theatre 
    542 Auditorium Road, East Lansing, MI

    Ticket Information
    Free Event - To reserve tickets please visit Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest Concert Tickets | East Lansing, MI | Fairchild Theatre  for additional ticket information

    Event Description
    This year's MLK concert will be a celebration of jazz music and its role in the civil rights movement. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, the concert will feature music inspired by his message of equality and justice for all. The MSU Jazz Orchestra I, along with jazz vocalists from the program and alumni, will perform a diverse selection of songs that embody the theme of “I Have a Dream for the World.” 

    The concert will showcase the works of renowned jazz artists such as Pharaoh Sanders, Louis Savary, Gary McFarland, Abbey Lincoln, Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog, Jr. These influential musicians used their talents to spread messages of hope and unity during a time of racial tension in America. The program will also include more contemporary artists like Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, who carry on the legacy of using music as a platform for social change.

    This annual event has become a long-standing tradition at MSU, bringing together students, faculty, administration, and community members to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrate the power of music to inspire and unite people of all backgrounds. Please do not miss out on this opportunity to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and be a part of a musical journey that will inspire and uplift your soul.

Monday, Jan. 20

  • MLK Commemorative March

    mlkstudentevents.pngHosted by: Student Planning Committee / MSU Divine Nine National Pan-Hellenic Council

    Monday, Jan. 20, 2025
    9 a.m. (gather at 8:45 a.m.)

    Beaumont Tower to Multicultural Center

    Registration
    Individual March participants do not have to register. All organizations are invited to participate in the March. If your organization would like to participate, please register in advance.

    Event Description
    All March participants will gather by 8:45 a.m. The formal program will start at 9 a.m. in front of Beaumont Tower. The March will begin at Beaumont Tower and end at the new Multicultural Center. A reception will be held at the Multicultural Center after the March. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held indoors at the IM East Building, 804 East Shaw Lane) on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. The building will open at 8:30 a.m. with the speaking program starting at 9 a.m.

    The March is collaboratively hosted by the MSU Divine Nine National Pan-Hellenic Council and the MLK Student Committee within the MLK Commemorative Celebration Committee.

    Event Contacts

    • Kaden Johnson, MLK Student Planning Committee Undergraduate Student Co-chair, john8130@msu.edu
    • Jakaira Lynn, MLK Student Planning Committee Graduate Student Co-chair, lynnjaka@msu.edu

Tuesday, Jan. 21 

  • Social Justice Film and Discussion: Fannie Lou Hamer’s America

    Hosted by: MSU Libraries / WKAR Public Media

    Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025
    6:30 p.m.

    MSU Library, Green Room
    366 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI 48824

    Virtual option available (Zoom)

    Registration
    The event is open and free to the public. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Registration is encouraged: bookings.lib.msu.edu/event/13354784

    Event Description
    Join MSU Libraries and WKAR for a screening of the award-winning documentary, Fannie Lou Hamer’s America, as part of the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration. Fannie Lou Hamer was a leader in the civil rights movement, founder of the Freedom Democratic Party in Mississippi, and the organizer of Freedom Summer, a volunteer-based campaign launched in the summer of 1964 to register as many Black voters in Mississippi as possible.

    The documentary was produced by her grand-niece Monica Land and won Best TV Feature Documentary or Miniseries at the IDA Awards. It portrays a civil rights activist and the injustices in America that made her work essential. Through public speeches, personal interviews, and powerful songs of the fearless Mississippi sharecropper-turned-human-rights-activist, Fannie Lou Hamer’s America explores and celebrates the lesser-known life of one of the Civil Rights Movement’s greatest leaders.

    The screening will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A featuring Tamera Carter (Lansing City Council), Trini Pehlivanoglu (Lansing City Council), and Cindy Villarreal-Medina (student, MSU College of Social Science), moderated by Erika Vallejo (Ph.D. candidate, Political Science). The panel will reflect on Hamer’s impact on today’s social justice movements and explore the ongoing fight for equity in the United States.

Thursday, Jan. 23

  • MLK Observance by the MSU Medical Colleges

    Hosted by: College of Human Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Health Sciences

    Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025
    6-7:30 p.m.

    Conrad Hall Auditorium
    943 Conrad Road, East Lansing, MI 48824

    Virtual option available (Zoom)

    Registration
    Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP online: msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8Gt0c08pjUBV1vE

    Event Description
    In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the MSU Medical Colleges invite you to a talk with Shondra L. Marshall, Ph.D., director of the Michigan Public Health Institute's Center for Racial and Social Justice.

    An MSU alumna and expert in equity and justice, Dr. Marshall focses on advancing systemic change for historically underrepresented communities. Her work includes training future leaders and research on academic performance, cultural responsiveness, and youth empowerment.

Friday, Jan. 24

  • MLK Historical Landmark Virtual Student Engagement Exchange

    mlkstudentevents.pngHosted by: Student Planning Committee / Morehouse College

    Friday, Jan. 24, 2025
    11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

    Clara Bell Smith Center, Auditorium
    282 W. Shaw Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824

    Virtual option available (Zoom)

    Registration
    Registration details will be available soon.

    Event Description
    Join the 2025 MLK Student Planning Committee within the MLK Commemorative Celebration Committee in collaboration with Morehouse College students for an engaging virtual viewing of historical MLK landmarks in the city of Atlanta.

    A light lunch will be served. Door prizes will be provided.

    Event Contacts 

    • Kaden Johnson, MLK Student Planning Committee Undergraduate Student Co-chair, john8130@msu.edu
    • Jakaira Lynn, MLK Student Planning Committee Graduate Student Co-chair, lynnjaka@msu.edu

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration