MLK Observance Week
"Together We Can Be The Dream" | Monday, January 23rd - Friday, January 27th, 2023
It’s been 55 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Kansas State University in 1968, advocating for nonviolent approaches to remedy social tensions and lead our nation into the future. We’re proud of our connection to Dr. King, and we celebrate his legacy through campus events, as well as in our hearts. Join us as we celebrate his legacy through our week long program.
2023 MLK Observance Week Poster (PDF)
If you'd like to learn more about Dr. King's Legacy and his connection to K-State, visit this website page where you can view PDFs of local newspaper articles, photos, yearbook entries and other materials; King's Legacy.
Saturday, Jan. 21
MLK Day of Service
The Day of Service will consist of multiple service projects that take place simultaneously at different sites across the city of Manhattan. All members of the K-State and Manhattan community are invited to give back to our community. Details about projects and locations will be released closer to the event date.
Contact the SSLS to learn how you can get involved. Karina Moncayo-Michel (karinamichel@ksu.edu)
Monday, Jan. 23
"Finding a Winner: Indicators of Inclusion in the Workplace" Presentation
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Cottonwood Room, Union
How can students know which prospective employers truly champion diversity in the workplace? What are some indicators that provide evidence of equity and inclusion? Join the Career Center in examining indicators related to people and inclusive leadership, retention and advancement, employer branding and community/social impact. Hear tips and advice from students, alumni and campus allies.
Sponsored by the K-State Career Center.
Contact: Pat Hudgins (phudgins@ksu.edu/785-532-6506)
19th Annual Diversity Student Leader Reception
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Multicultural Center 204/205 | Zoom: 928 9406 3140
Join us for a discussion surrounding the Civil Rights Movement, current diversity issues, and the importance of Dr. King's legacy. Dr. Lorenza Lockett, Assistant Professor of Social Work at Kansas State University, will lead the discussion.
Sponsored by Kansas Soybean, the College of Agriculture/KSRE Diversity Programs Office, & K-State M.A.N.R.R.S. Chapter.
Contact: Dr. Zelia Wiley (zwiley@ksu.edu/785-532-5793) or Summer Santillana (smades@ksu.edu)
Tuesday, Jan. 24
Commerce Bank Presidential Awards for Diversity
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Alumni Center Banquet Room
We encourage the entire campus community to attend this reception and congratulate our award winners, who have done so much to advance K-State diversity, to contribute to the success of historically underrepresented students, and to promote inclusive excellence. We are grateful to Commerce Bank for their support of these awards through the years.
Sponsored by Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs.
Contact: Mirta Chavez (mirta@ksu.edu/785-532-6276)
Wednesday, Jan. 25
9th Annual Civil Rights Teach-In
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Town Hall - Leadership Studies
Join the conversation on social justice issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Introduced by Dean Culbertson, a varying panel of esteemed guests will present short presentations discussing DEIB topics including; Q&A to Follow.
- Dr.Debra Bolton - "Acknowledging and Understanding the Language We Use & Operationalize"
- Nate McClendon - "What You See Is What You Get"
- Dr. Latania Marr y Oretga - "Sharpening Identity"
- Anthony Warnick - "Except As A Punishment for Crime"
- Sheila Ellis-Glasper - "Closing the Racial Welath Gap Through Entrepreneurship"
Sponsored by the College of Arts & Sciences.
Contact: Dr. Kimathi Choma (kchoma@ksu.edu/785-532-6904)
Thursday, Jan. 26
MLK Presidential Lecture
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Alumni Center Ballroom
Registration: CLOSED
Cuttino "Cat" Mobley, Former NBA Player (1998-2008) will be giving our keynote speech titled "A Beautiful Struggle."
Sponsored by the Office of the President, the Vice President for DEIB, and Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs.
Contact: Mirta Chavez (mirta@ksu.edu/785-532-6276)
"Authenticity At Work" College of Business Panel
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | 1088 Business Building
At this panel discussion, K-State College of Business Alumni Adonis Wooten-Herron ('16) & Justice Davis ('16) will speak to their experiences navigating the workplace and life through their various identities and offer advice for overcoming the barriers they faced.
Sponsored by the College of Business Administration
Contact: Olivia Law-DelRosso (olivia@ksu.edu/785-313-1714)
"Brother Outsider" Film Screening
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Purple Mask Theatre
Join the LGBT Resource Center as they present a screening of the film Brother Outsider - The Life of Bayard Rustin. This documentary tells the story of Bayard Rustin, the African-American civil rights activist, notable for his activism for racial equality, gay rights, socialist issues, and organizing the 1963 March on Washington. A reception will be hosted prior to the film starting at 6:30pm.
Reception beginning 5:30 pm Sandy Chastan Lobby with film screening at 6 pm in Purple Masque Theatre - West Memorial Stadium. All are welcome.
Sponsored by the LGBT Resource Center, Ebony Theatre, KSU School of Music Theatre, and Dance & the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art.
Contact: LGBT Resource Center (lgbt@ksu.edu / 785-532-5352)
Friday, Jan. 27
Annual Brown Bag Lunch
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Multicultural Center 204/205
The Faculty and Staff Affinity Network invite you to join in their annual brown bag lunch. Affinity group members and other K-State faculty and staff are invited to bring their lunch and engage in a discussion about social justice and diversity at K-State.
Sponsored by Black Faculty Staff Alliance, Indigenous Faculty Staff Alliance, Alianza, & LGBTQ* Faculty Staff Alliance.
Contact: LaVerne Bitsie-Baldwin; Lbaldwin@ksu.edu , Dr. Zelia Wiley; zwiley@ksu.edu, Marcos Mendez; mmendez@ksu.edu, or Adam Carr, arcarr@ksu.edu
Laying of the Wreaths and Candlelight Ceremony
1:30 p.m | Union Courtyard & Martin Luther King Jr. Bust
The annual Laying of the Wreath and Candlelighting ceremony marks the end of our week of programming. We invite the K-State campus and Manhattan community to join us in remembering Dr. King's life through this event. The program will begin with the candlelight ceremony and end at the MLK bust in front of Ahearn Field House.
Sponsored by Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs and Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc.
Contact: Mirta Chavez (mirta@ksu.edu/785-532-6276)
