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K-State Today

January 25, 2022

Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs hosts Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Week in celebration of King’s work

Submitted by Mirta Chavez

Dear K-State Wildcats,

Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs hosts Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Week in celebration of King's work.

On behalf of Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs and the MLK Observance Week Committee, we invite you to join us in celebrating Dr. King's legacy.

This week's activities include:

Tuesday, Jan. 25

  • Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation Awards for Diversity 3:30-5 p.m. | Virtual link
    Passcode: 510620
    • We invite the entire campus community to this reception to congratulate our award winners who work hard to advance K-State diversity, contribute to the success of historically underrepresented students and promote inclusive excellence. Thank you to Commerce Bank and the W.T. Kemper Foundation for their support of these awards through the years. Sponsored by Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs. Contact Mirta Chavez, mirta@k-state.edu or 785-532-6276.

Wednesday, Jan. 26

  • Eighth annual Civil Rights Teach-In 2:30-5 p.m. | Leadership Studies Town Hall
    • Join the conversation on social justice issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences. Contact Kimathi Choma, kchoma@k-state.edu

Thursday, Jan. 27

  • MLK Presidential Lecture 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | Virtual event link.
    Passcode: 158335
    • Keynote Speaker: Adrian Miller, James Beard award-winning author and culinary historian. Contact Mirta Chavez, mirta@k-state.edu, or 785-532-6276.
  • "Celebrating Local Black Entrepreneurs" Lecture 4-5 p.m. | College of Business 1088
    • The College of Business Administration is hosting award-winning local Black entrepreneurs to share their stories of starting and running businesses in our area. We will celebrate their successes and learn about the barriers they have overcome. Sponsored by the College of Business Administration and the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship. Contact Olivia Law-DelRosso, olivia@k-state.edu.
  • Let's Talk Art: Considering the dance film "Martin" by Gordon Parks 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Virtual event
    • Curator Aileen June Wang discusses Parks' 1990 ballet film honoring Martin Luther King Jr., with Theresa Ruth Howard, ballet dancer and founder-curator of MoBBallet.org (Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet). Register at beach.k-state.edu/visit/calendar. Sponsored by the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art.
  • "Brother Outsider" film screening 6-8:30 p.m. | K-State Student Union's Big 12 Room
    • Join the LGBT Resource Center and SAGA as they present a screening of the film "Brother Outsider." The documentary tells the story of Bayard Rustin, the African American civil rights activist for racial equality, gay rights, socialist issues and organizing the 1963 March on Washington. Contact Brandon Haddock, bhaddock@k-state.edu

Friday, Jan. 28

  • Annual Brown Bag Lunch 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.| Virtual event link
    • Grab your lunch and join in a discussion about social justice and diversity at K-State. Sponsored by Affinity Groups. Contact LaVerne Bitsie Baldwin, Lbaldwin@k-state.edu.
  • Laying of the Wreaths and Candlelight Ceremony 1:30 p.m. | Virtual event 
    Passcode: 418167
    • The program will begin with the candlelight ceremony and an inspirational message from K-State administration. Sponsored by Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs and Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Inc. Contact Mirta Chavez, mirta@k-state.edu, or 785-532-6276.

We hope that you take these opportunities to join us for the online events as we celebrate Dr. King's wisdom and teachings, plus the legacy of his visit to K-State.

A special thank you to the MLK Observance Week committee, Commerce Bank, Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs, Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Office of the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Office of General Counsel, K-State Athletics, and various colleges, student organizations and advocates universitywide who have contributed to this year's observance week activities.

With great appreciation,

Mirta Chavez
Interim Associate Vice President Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs