Celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Beginning Jan. 13, Michigan State University will host a series of free events as part of the university’s 38th annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative celebration. The greater Lansing community is invited to join MSU students, faculty and staff members in activities and service projects that honor King’s legacy, including: 

Jan. 13

• Student Leadership Conference
  10 a.m., MSU Union, Ballroom
  The conference—geared toward college and high school students—features facilitated discussions, student presentations and a performance by Kresge Fellow Natasha Miller. Lunch is included, and registration is required.

Jan. 14

• Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest Concerts 
  3 p.m., 7 p.m. Fairchild Theater, MSU Auditorium
  Enjoy performances by the MSU Jazz Orchestra and guests. Tickets are required.

Jan. 15

• Service Learning Project and Resource Fair 
  11 a.m., MSU Union Ballroom
  Take part in a service learning project and meet representatives from MSU student organizations and local nonprofits.
• Commemorative March
  3:15 p.m., MSU Union
  Join student leaders and Dr. Diane Nash, an activist and pioneer of the civil rights movement, in a commemorative march from the MSU Union Main Lounge to Beaumont Tower.
  Register your group or organization here.
• Social Justice Exhibit and Student Performance
  4 p.m., MSU Museum
  Visit the exhibit, “War and Speech: Propaganda, Patriotism, and Dissent in the Great War.”  
• Community Scholarship Dinner
  5:30 p.m., Hubbard Hall Dining Room
  Doors open at 4:45 p.m. Registration is required.
  Celebrate student leaders and their efforts to build inclusive communities, and learn about ways to support the Martin Luther King Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund.  

Jan. 19

• Social Justice Art Festival
  Noon, Snyder-Phillips Hall
  MSU students will showcase art related to social justice topics. Sam White, founder and director of Shakespeare in Detroit, is the keynote speaker. Registration is required.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Building Inclusive Communities.”

Though classes are canceled on Jan. 15 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the university remains open. View the full list of commemorative events at the Building Inclusive Communities calendar.