Dr. LeConté J. Dill speaks to attendees at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration at the MSU Union in East Lansing, Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
MSU will host a myriad of events to celebrate MLK Day on Jan. 19, including a community dinner, discussions and a pop-up exhibition showcasing the legacy and lasting impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"Every year we pick a theme, and this year the committee chose ‘Justice for All: A Legacy of Courage and Commitment,'" MSU Outreach and Engagement Manager of Inclusive Excellence and Impact Florensio Hernandez said. "This theme really resonated with people. They loved it."
Hernandez said the theme's importance this year is unity and bringing the campus together.
"It's really about acknowledging and learning from one another, and also revisiting the past, but also looking at things in a different way, seeing how things have evolved, and sort of just be within the community," Hernandez said.
For information on specific events, visit https://inclusion.msu.edu/awards/mlk-commemorative-celebration/mlk-calendar.html.
All week
From the start of the week to Feb. 28, the MSU Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration Planning Committee will host the MLK Commemorative Celebration Stuff the Library Event.
This event aims to help school libraries get more books about social justice and characters from different backgrounds. The event works with local schools and organizations to raise awareness of social justice and promote books featuring diverse characters, stories and authors.
For more information about donating, visit givingto.msu.edu/causes-to-support/crowdpower/dr-martin-luther-king-commemorative-celebration.
Thursday, Jan. 15
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Unity Dinner
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Unity Dinner, hosted by Residence Education and Housing Services, the Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact and the Residence Halls Association, will be held at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in the Big Ten Rooms from 5-7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 4:45 p.m.
The buffet-style dinner and program will commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy, featuring food, music, speakers, remarks from MSU leaders and the announcement of the MLK Endowed Scholarship recipients.
The dinner will feature a keynote speaker, Dr. Terry Flennaugh, Dean of Access and Community Engagement in the Department of Teacher Education. He is also an associate professor at MSU who studies race, culture and equity in education, with a focus on the experiences of students of color in urban schools.
Registration information can he found at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-community-unity-dinner-2026-tickets-1968792871477.
Coffee and Conversation
From 9-10:30 a.m. in Chittenden Hall, Room 110, the MSU Women of Color Community will host Coffee and Conversation featuring Dr. LaShawn D. Harris, moderated by Dean of The Graduate School Pero G. Dagbovie.
The conversation will discuss the contributions, challenges, and legacy of black women in civil rights, equity and social justice.
Registration for this event can be found at: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cSbdfclwalsQEJg.
MLK Lunch and Learn: The Legacy of Leadership Over the Decades
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MSU Council of Racial and Ethnic Students (CORES) and the Council of Advocacy and Marginalized Students (CAMS) will host a lunch-and-learn for students from 12-1:30 p.m. at the Multicultural Center, in rooms 1015 and 1020 (multipurpose rooms A and B).
The event will feature alums from CORES and CAMS who will share stories and engage in discussion with current students on the journey to justice as envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"We want alumni to come back and talk about their experiences and how MSU has evolved," Hernandez said. "(This event) is about connecting students with alumni and seeing how leadership has transformed over time."
Pre-registration is not required, and a free lunch will be available to the first 150 students.
Sunday, Jan. 18
Join the MSU College of Music for its Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest Concert at Fairchild Theatre starting at 3 p.m.
This annual concert will feature performances from MSU Jazz Orchestras and jazz vocalist Carmen Bradford, joined by MSU jazz voice students, blending music and message to honor Dr. King’s legacy.
The event is free and open to the public; however, tickets are required for entry. Tickets can be purchased online: music.msu.edu/event/jazz-spirituals-prayer-and-protest-concert-2.
Tuesday, Jan. 20
On Jan. 20, WKAR, MSU Libraries, MSU Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, MSU AJB and MSU Communication Solutions for a Diverse Society will host “Finding Your Voice with Your Vote,” a panel discussion featuring Christina Myers, associate professor in the school of journalism; Suchrita Webster, co-chair of MSU Vote; and Chris Swope, Lansing City Clerk. The panel will be moderated by Sophia Saliby, WKAR local “All Things Considered” host, reporter and producer.
Held in WKAR Studio A in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building, the event will discuss the history of voting rights, break down how voting is counted and show how anyone can harness this essential tool of democracy to honor the legacy of past advocates.
Event project coordinator for WKAR, Emily Mata-Garnaat, said the goal for the event is to inspire people to utilize their vote, which has been fought for over hundreds of years.
"Right now, especially, it’s important to do what we can and utilize our civic duty to voice our opinions," Mata-Garnaat said.
This event is open to the public; however, registration is appreciated. Information about the panel discussion can be found here: https://www.wkar.org/in-your-community/2025-12-15/join-us-finding-your-voice-with-your-vote.
Wednesday, Jan. 21
On Jan. 21, MSU Libraries will host a pop-up exhibition on the first-floor seminar room highlighting historical marches and commemorating the anniversary of the March on Washington, a pivotal moment in Dr. King's legacy.
This few-hour pop-up will showcase a collection of 40 protest posters compiled at the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington in 1963.
In 2020, during the Black Lives Matter movement, Erik Ponder, the African Studies Librarian at MSU Libraries, traveled to Washington, D.C. to collect protest posters from marches that echoed the original March on Washington – where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech – and brought them back to MSU’s Special Collections to highlight ongoing issues like racism, police brutality and racial violence against African Americans.
"The library is really looking forward to the pop-up exhibit," Ponder said. "We hope the entire week will be spectacular."
The event will also feature a digital exhibit upstairs showcasing a 10-minute virtual tour of the National Civil Rights Museum, available in a loop for students to experience in the Digital Scholarship Lab.
Thursday, Jan. 22
On Jan. 22, the College of Human Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and MSU Health Sciences will host an MLK Day observance at the Multicultural Center, room 1015. Online options are available for off-campus individuals.
This event will feature a discussion with MSU alumnus and radiologist, Michael Henderson, whose work focuses on osteopathic patient care and community-based medicine.
Dr. Henderson also works to train future leaders and researchers by teaching whole-person care, cultural awareness, and empowering young people.
Registration is required by Jan. 20. Information can be found at: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2rf86sd8Ls3eUrI.
Friday, Jan. 23
MSU’s Honors College will host the 9th annual university-wide Diversity Research Showcase at Campbell Hall from 1:30-4:45 p.m. This event will showcase student research and the many voices working to make a difference.
The Diversity Research Showcase gives undergraduate students a chance to share their projects with peers, faculty, staff and community members in a welcoming, supportive environment. The event features research on many topics, including cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, international, LGBTQIA2S+, disability and political diversity.
The showcase highlights how student research can help create a more inclusive world. The event will conclude with a short ceremony recognizing top poster and presentation projects, followed by cash awards.
There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Information can be found at: https://symposium.foragerone.com/drs2026/registration.
Monday, Jan. 26
On Jan. 26, the MSU College of Nursing will host a virtual conversation about storytelling as a pathway to empathy, featuring Maria Smilios, author of The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis.
The discussion will include talks about how storytelling can foster empathy and deepen understanding of health equity.
There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Registration information can be found at: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0GUfI6I87Rj9k58.
