Calendar of Events
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Where Do We Go from Here – Chaos or Community?
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.
To add your event to the calendar, please submit the form.
MLK questions can be directed to Audrey Bentley, bentley@pres.msu.edu, or 517-353-4563.
We wish to thank the MLK Planning Committee for their time, insight & support in creating a memorable commemorative week!
4th Annual Diversity Research Showcase
Friday, January 22, 2021 | 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST | Free
The fourth Annual Diversity Research Showcase will feature oral and poster presentations from MSU undergraduate students presenting their work, or work in progress, on issues of diversity that advance inclusion. The event is made possible by sponsorship from the Honors College, Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, the MSU Libraries, and the Undergraduate Research Office.
East Lansing Public Library MLK Celebration Activities
LAFCU Listen and Learn: a virtual reading program that brings stories to our community to encourage learning.
Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier on our reading phone line.
- Call to listen 517-622-6789
- More information about the Listen and Learn program
- Visit the LAFCU Listen and Learn YouTube story channel
East Lansing Public Library picture book collection
A staff created picture book list for children of all ages to pass on the MLK legacy of justice, peace, and love.
Virtual Celebration
January 12 | Watch video replay
Brought to you in partnership with LAFCU and the Dr. Martin Luther King Commission of Mid-Michigan. Enjoy a storytime, music, dance, and more.
Building Community & Celebrating Student Success
Monday, January 18, 2021 | 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Free
This event will feature:
- A conversation with State Representative Sarah Anthony moderated by Assistant Director for Undergraduate Programs, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and President of the MSU Black Faculty, Staff and Administrators Association (BFSAA) Stratton Lee
- Remarks by MSU President Dr. Samuel L. Stanley and MSU Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Jabbar R. Bennett
- Join us in celebrating this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Endowed Scholarship recipients. Donations to the Martin Luther King Jr. Endowment Scholarship Fund can be made.
MLK Round Table Discussions
25 Years of Connecting Students Across Differences & Not Stopping Now
January 18, 19, 20 | 8 p.m.
We're starting MLK Day, January 18th! The MRULE-ICA Program@Mosaic is offering virtual Round Table Discussions EVERY WEEK to ANY student interested in meeting other students to talk about issues that matter.
Anti-bias Training: Moving Dr. King's message forward in a 2021 platform
January 21, 2021 | 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. | Free
Please join us for an interactive and engaging presentation on "Anti-bias Training: Moving Dr. King's message forward in a 2020 platform". Kia Hagens (MEA) will facilitate this discussion and encourage dialogue among the participants. Diversity is the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, national origin, and political beliefs. This training is designed to explore these many differences and work to be more inclusive in our local associations, worksites and while working with students and colleagues. Come prepared to interact and engage with others.
Racism: A Public Health Crisis
Presented by the MSU Health Colleges
Thursday, January 21 | 5:30 p.m.
Featuring speakers:
- Debra Furr Holden, PhD, Associate Dean for Public Health Integration at the College of Human Medicine and Director of the Division of Public Health. Dr. Furr Holden is associate dean for Public Health Integration and director of the Flint Center for Health Equity Solutions. She also serves as MSU co-director of the Healthy Flint Research Coordinating Center. She is an epidemiologist and classically trained public health professional.
- Praise Matemavi, DO, MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine alum. One of the first Black female transplant surgeons in the United States, Dr. Matemavi is the 2020 recipient of the MSU Young Alumni Award. She is currently assistant professor of surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and editor of “Passion and Purpose: Black Female Surgeons.”
Coffee & Conversation
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 | 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (EST)
MSU IDEA Coordinators' Committee will be hosting its second annual Coffee & Conversation event to honor and acknowledge the contribution(s) of MSU professionals who engage in "Good Trouble." Our eight (8) speakers will provide brief stories of how they have engaged in "good trouble." We will also provide an opportunity for guests and attendees to discuss "good trouble" and meet other attendees as well.
Guest Speakers (in speaking order):
- Dr. Eunice Foster
- Kendra Pyle
- Dr. Kevin Leonard
- Jesse Beal
- Juan Flores
- Kate Sonka
- Jonglim Han
- Dr. Lee June
Register in advance to receive the Zoom link
Student Leadership Events
MLK Jr. Day: Good Trouble: Reclaiming Our Democracy & Demanding Social Justice- Student Videos
Monday, January 18, 2021 | 10 a.m.
- Video will be launched at 10 a.m. est on Monday, January 18th on various social media channels
- A collection of videos made by students to celebrate MLK Jr. Day. Michigan State students have been collecting videos for the past several weeks and the video will debut on social media channels: Instagram @GogreeksMSU and @aphiazd
- Contact Guillermo J. Flores at floresg6@msu.edu with questions.
Good Trouble: Reclaiming Our Democracy & Demanding Social Justice- Student Panel
Monday, January 18th | 11 a.m.
- A student panel hosted by Ladell Watson, current President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Zeta Delta Chapter at Michigan State University. Students on the panel represent a variety of MSU Spartans and they will discuss the theme of this year's MLK Celebration theme: "Good Trouble: Reclaiming Our Democracy & Demanding Social Justice.
- Contact Guillermo J. Flores at floresg6@msu.edu with questions.
- Attend online
When They See Us: Experience of MSU Black Male Students
Friday, January 22, 2021 | 9 a.m. - 12 noon | Free
Opening remarks by Dr. Jabbar R. Bennett
Inspired by NCORE's webinar, "When They See Us: Experiences of Black Males Navigating Historically White Institutions," this summit centers on experiences of Black male students attending Michigan State University. Transcript of the NCORE session.
Brought to you by Office of Culture & Academic Transitions, College of Natural Sciences, IDEA Coordinators, School of Packaging, Residental College in the Arts and Humanities, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources-Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the Black Students' Alliance.
Dr. Martin Luther King Commission of Mid-Michigan Celebration
Monday, January 18 | 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Dr. Bernice King will headline the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan’s 2021 annual signature event, which will be televised for the first time in its 36-year history. The 2021 MLK Day of Celebration will air on WILX TV 10-NBC, Monday, Jan. 18, 7-8 p.m. EST.
Community Volunteer Projects
Stuff the Library Book Drive
- There are several ways to get involved: shop, donate, volunteer.
- Download the flyer (PDF)
- Learn more
MSU Libraries and WKAR Present Five Nights Toward Freedom: MLK Commemorative Film Series
7 p.m. each night
Monday, January 18 | Whose Streets
- Hosted by Rashida Harrison Co-Hosted by The MSU Detroit Center (Open to the general public)
- Register for Whose Streets
Tuesday, January 19 | Night Catches Us
- Hosted by Tama Hamilton-Wray
- Register for Night Catches Us
Wednesday, January 20 | I Am Not Your Negro
- Hosted by Jeff Wray
- Register for I am Not Your Negro
Thursday, January 21 | Fundi: The Ella Baker Story
- Hosted by Tamura Lomax
- Register for Fundi
Friday, January 22 | Freedom Riders with Q&A
Hosted by Rashida Harrison, Tama Hamilton-Wray, Jeff Wray, and Tamura Lomax Co-Hosted by WKAR (Open to the general public)
Join the virtual screening and community conversation featuring “Freedom Riders,” a film that tells the powerful, harrowing, and ultimately inspirational story of six months in 1961 that changed America forever. In 1961, more than 400 Americans risked their lives journeying through the Deep South, deliberately violating Jim Crow laws to challenge a segregated interstate travel system. Following the film, join a moderated online discussion with panelists:
- Tama Hamilton-Wray, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Africana Film Studies in MSU's Residential College in the Arts and Humanities.
- Rashida Harrison, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Social Relations and Policy at MSU's James Madison College.
- Jeff Wray is Professor of Film Studies and Associate Chair of Undergraduate Studies in MSU's Department of English.
- Tamura Lomax, Ph.D., is the Founding Associate Professor of African American and African Studies (AAAS) at Michigan State University.
Beyond the Black Panther: Visions of Afrofuturism in American Comics
Most people are familiar with Marvel's Black Panther, and some are aware of its connections to Afrofuturism, a framework to understand how the black imagination manifests visions of freedom. This virtual exhibition will explore how themes such as aesthetics, Black feminism, and community, common to Afrofuturism, shape contemporary Black comics. Beyond the Black Panther gives us a view of stories inspired by African folklore such as Is’nana the Were-Spider, science fiction adventures centered on a black female hero such as Matty’s Rocket, or vital social commentary about police violence such as I am Alfonso Jones. The MSU Museum encourages visitors to engage with this exciting topic and expand their understanding of the black speculative tradition in comics.
Comic caption: "Mo’ Blacktus” digital print by the artist collaborative Black Kirby comprised of artists-scholars John Jennings and Stacy Robinson, Collection of MSU Museum
Work from these artists will be featured in Beyond the Black Panther: Visions of Afrofuturism in American Comics.
More Info
MLK Virtual Networking-Service, Volunteerism, Activism, Community
Monday, January 18, 2021 | 12 noon - 1:00 p.m.
This is an opportunity for faculty, staff, and postdocs to virtual network around volunteering, activism, social justice, and community. Get to know other Spartans while reflecting on Dr. Martin Luther King, John Lewis and Good Trouble.
Attend online
password: connect
Social Justice and the Arts
4th Annual MSU Social Justice Art Festival
Monday, January 18 through Thursday, January 21
Connect with us virtually, January 18-22 for a 4-day festival featuring a variety of student artworks centered on social justice issues. It will be a week of contemplation and connection toward building a more inclusive MSU community. This event is hosted by James Madison College (JMC) and the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCHA).
Find a recap of the event and information about the winners.
The students' art is still available for viewing at sjaf.msu.edu
More Information
Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest Concert
January 17, 2021 | 3:00 p.m.
The event will include opening remarks by Deborah Johnson of MSU’s Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, and excerpts from a 2014 speech given by John Lewis during his campus visit for One Book, One Community discussing his co-authored book titled, “March: Book One,” a graphic novel highlighting the struggles and triumphs of the civil rights movement.
Performances by MSU Jazz Orchestras will feature memorable Motown tunes by Detroit’s very own Aretha Franklin. The 2019 program was curated by the College of Music student organization Color Me Music.
The show will be live-streamed at 3:00 pm and available afterward for on-demand viewing.
More Info
Watch Online
Civil Rights Leadership: Courage, Community and Connection
A Film Screening and Discussion with the MSU Graduate School
January 19 | 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
The MSU Graduate School and the MSU Alumni Office have partnered to provide an exclusive opportunity for alumni, faculty, staff, and friends to view “John Lewis: Good Trouble” in a virtual cinema experience.
Following your personal screening of the documentary, we invite you to join the Graduate School for an evening of vibrant discussion which will center on the enduring legacy of John Lewis and the Civil Rights Movement. For this discussion, you’ll join the Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) alumni community, representing diversity within the professoriate, hailing from a broad range of academic disciplines – engineering, economics, biology, nuclear science, physics, African history, and business among others.
You may screen the "John Lewis: Good Trouble" documentary at your leisure, free of charge, between January 16 and 18. The facilitated discussion on Jan. 19 will be conducted online via Zoom. Links to screen the documentary and for the discussion, passwords and instructions will be sent to registered participants via email in the week preceding the event.