Penn State will kick off its 33rd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration week on Monday, Jan. 15. The celebration includes various keynote speakers, films, and performances and is the culmination of a year’s worth of planning by Penn State students, faculty and State College community members. The theme for this year’s events is “Deconstructing the Dream: At Whose Expense?”
The events this year include:
MLK, Jr. Day of Service
The day of service is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, January 15 in Alumni Hall in the HUB. Participants will meet in Alumni Hall and then disperse to different locations in State College. To volunteer, sign up here.
Film Screening of ‘Rise! (1940-1968): The African Americans – Many Rivers to Cross’
The documentary, which examines the road to civil rights, will be shown in Foster Auditorium on Monday, January 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last screening will begin at 4 p.m.
Essence of Joy
Penn State choral ensemble Essence of Joy performs sacred and secular music from the African/African American choral traditions from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. on Monday, January 15, in the Franklin Atrium on the first floor of Pattee Library.
Thinking Critically About Inclusion (Lunch Time Program for Faculty and Staff)
Educator and Poet Jive Poetic will speak with faculty and staff about inclusion in the classroom on Tuesday, January 16 in Room 233A in the HUB from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Presentation by Dr. Ed Jackson Jr., Executive Architect for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial, in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Ed Jackson Jr. will give his presentation on Tuesday, January 16 in the Freeman Auditorium from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Art Interrupted: Reconstructing the Dream-A Talent Showcase and Social Justice Reception
Back by popular demand, the talent contest will take place on Wednesday, January 17 in Heritage Hall from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Art Activism in the ’60s
Art Activism in the ’60s will showcase the interpretations of this year’s theme by elementary, middle, and high school students in State College. The event will take place on Thursday, January 18 in Heritage Hall from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Evening Celebration
The final event of the week will feature various performances that celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and will feature distinguished speaker Amanda Seales. The event will take place on Friday, January 19 in the Schwab Auditorium from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information about each event, visit the MLK 2018 Schedule of Events page.
