To commemorate the life, legacy and impact that the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made on both Michigan State University’s campus and our nation as a whole, the greater MSU community comes together to acknowledge King each year through a variety of programs and events. Under the 2023 theme of “Living purpose, promise and perseverance now,” Spartans have come together to share, educate, celebrate and start dialogues as they acknowledge King's message of civil rights and social justice for all through nonviolent means.
Alongside Dill’s speech and remarks from MSU Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., and Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D., the Unity Dinner featured several artistic performances by talented MSU students. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Members of the community gathered near Beaumont Tower on Monday to hear a special performance by carillonist Laurie Harkema. Commemorating the legacy of King, the concert opened with “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” followed by American spirituals and songs inspired by the ideals of hope and freedom. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
MSU Jazz Orchestra II provided a musical tribute to King with the concert “Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest” in the Fairchild Theatre. The program included the music of Duke Ellington, Nina Simone, Booker Little, Curtis Mayfield and Donny Hathaway, with featured guest performers accompanying the orchestra. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Guest vocalist Ludgarde Fall brings powerful emotion to “Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest.” The concert also highlighted the talents of guest vocalists Tiffany Toriumi and Rockelle Whitaker, and director Anthony Stanco was joined by special guest conductor and trumpet soloist Kris Johnson. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Kris Johnson plays a solo at the “Jazz: Spirituals, Prayer and Protest” concert. Johnson is a Detroit-based trumpeter, composer and educator. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Hosted by the MSU Zeta Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the 2023 MLK Student Committee within the 2023 MLK Commemorative Committee, the annual MLK Commemorative March brought speakers, campus leaders and the MSU community together to march from Beaumont Tower to the proposed site of the MSU Multicultural Center. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D and Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D, joined the MSU community on the annual MLK Commemorative March. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Communications student Brandon Foster introduced keynote speaker Kelsie Reed at the MLK Student Leadership Conference. The annual conference, hosted by 12 campus organizations, hosts presentations and entertainment with the goal of developing student leadership, elevating student voices, and building community based on common goals. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Honoring King’s legacy and value of community, the 43rd annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Unity Dinner was held on Jan. 12 at the Kellogg Center Hotel and Conference Center. LeConte Dill, associate professor in the department of African American and African Studies, gave the event’s keynote speech. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Alongside Dill’s speech and remarks from MSU Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., and Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D., the Unity Dinner featured several artistic performances by talented MSU students. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
Members of the community gathered near Beaumont Tower on Monday to hear a special performance by carillonist Laurie Harkema. Commemorating the legacy of King, the concert opened with “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” followed by American spirituals and songs inspired by the ideals of hope and freedom. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.
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