With the spring semester underway, NKU is gearing up for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, a series of events designed to honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. King. The events are organized by African American Student Initiatives (AASI), in collaboration with several offices and organizations.
This year’s theme is “The Strength of a Dream: Rising Above Adversity.”
Greg Moore, director of AASI, has worked to develop the annual event in recent years.
“We don’t want the legacy of Dr. King to die because of what’s currently happening,” Moore said, referencing recent political divisions.
Here is a breakdown of this year’s key events:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon
Friday, Jan. 17
The celebration kicks off Friday with the annual Celebration Luncheon, a commemorative event reflecting on King’s legacy. The luncheon will feature Dr. Mike Scruggs, founder and pastor of the Light of the World Church, as the guest speaker.
Several Umoja Honorees will also be recognized. Umoja, the Swahili word for unity, is the first of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, a cultural celebration of African American and African heritage celebrated from Dec. 26-Jan. 1 each year. These honorees are individuals who have contributed to fostering unity on campus and in the community.
“We take a moment to talk about different people who have done things, whether on campus or in the community, to help enhance what unity looks like,” Moore said.
MLK Day of Service
Saturday, Jan. 18
On Saturday, NKU students, faculty, staff and community members will participate in the annual Day of Service. Nearly 230 volunteers are signed up to meet at 9 a.m. in the University Center Ballroom before being dispatched to various sites across Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati for community service projects. This event, a collaboration with NKU’s Center for Student Engagement, honors King’s vision of service and social justice.
“For some, the Day of Service may feel like an obligation—something to satisfy a requirement for an organization,” Moore said. “But we want to honor Dr. King’s legacy by encouraging service that comes from the kindness of our hearts.”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative March
Monday, Jan. 20
AASI will join the MLK Coalition, a Cincinnati-based organization dedicated to preserving King’s ideas and legacy, for the annual MLK march in downtown Cincinnati. The march begins at 10:30 a.m. at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
In past years, the MLK Celebration included a church service on Sunday, but this year AASI opted not to host a Sunday event.
“We usually try to pick a church, since Dr. King was about church and faith,” Moore said. “But this year, we decided to allow folks to have a little break … then we’ll pick back up on Monday by joining the MLK Coalition.”
MLK Candlelight Vigil
Tuesday, Jan. 21
The celebration concludes Tuesday with the annual MLK Candlelight Vigil, organized in partnership with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Held on the second floor of the Student Union, the hour-long program is a reflective tribute to King, who was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.
The event provides attendees with a space to honor his enduring legacy and consider the relevance of his teachings today.
This year’s celebration was organized with several campus and community organizations, including the Black Graduate and Professional Student Association, the NKU Black Alumni Council, the Black Faculty and Staff Association and the Center for Student Inclusiveness.
Through these events, AASI and its partners aim to honor King’s legacy while inspiring students, faculty and the community through ideas of unity and reflection.
“My hope is that we continue reminding people that, at the end of the day, we’re all human,” Moore said. “We all have lives and things we want to accomplish, but it makes the most sense to work in tandem with others so we can be successful and thrive as a human race.”