King Week celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. annually from January 15 through January 31. George Washington University (GW) Faculty, staff, students, and alumni contribute exciting, thought-provoking, historic, and inspiring programming to the community. We strive to honor King's life from early childhood through the spirit of the civil rights movement.
Programs include special faculty lectures, live music and narrative, the recitation of King's work, service events, social justice initiatives, and more. King Week tells the story of the joy, drama, progress, pain, and perseverance that defines King's life of sacrifice. Our goal is to present an inspiring tribute, educate the community, encourage reflection on the life and vision of America's most respected civil rights leader and humble Baptist Minister. Students from all backgrounds are encouraged to participate in King Week events.
If you have any questions, please email the King Week Committee at [email protected].
The King Week Committee members come from the Multicultural Student Services Center and the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service.
featuring
Dr. Deniece Dortch, Assistant Professor of Higher Education Administration,
with a response by
Dr. Laura Engel, Associate Professor of International Education and International Affairs
Via Zoom
Thursday, January 20, 2022
5:00 - 6:15pm EST
Stay tuned for more information.
Dr. Deniece Dortch’s research and teaching grapples with systemic oppression across multiple axes. She uses critical phenomenological approaches to understanding how African American undergraduate and graduate students experience and respond to race and racism at predominantly white institutions of higher education. She is especially interested in how psychological violence and fear is experienced, manifested and reproduced in the academy. Her most recent projects explore intra-racial relationships, racial agency and their effects on persistence in higher education. Learn more →
Dr. Laura Engel's interests focus on global education policy trends in federal systems, and national and cross-national studies of internationalization of education. Her research, which has been funded by the American Educational Research Association, the National Geographic Society, and the Stevens Initiative, has been published in three books and over 50 articles, book chapters, and policy briefs. Dr. Engel serves on the board of directors of the NEA Foundation, is a Fulbright Specialist, and is joint editor of International Studies in Sociology of Education. Learn more →
Kogan Plaza
10:00am - 3:00pm EST
The content of the speech, often called "I've Been to the Mountaintop," is considered by many to be one of King's most inspirational works… "An improvised masterpiece," declared Reverend Ralph Abernathy. The threats he received before that night and the chatter in the streets that day led many to believe that "I may not get there with you" was a prescient warning of King’s impending death. His physical collapse while stepping down from the pulpit at the Mason Chapel (Church of God in Christ Headquarters) in Memphis, Tennessee, indicated his exhaustion and his acute awareness of what tomorrow might bring. Before the program, he sought assurance that the choir would sing, "Take my hand Precious Lord" that night. The tragedy occurred the very next day at the Lorraine Motel.
In the spirit of that speech, we commit to keeping Dr. King's voice alive at GW in celebration of his birthday. We will not be gathering physically or virtually, however, you will be able to hear the sounds of King's Voice in Kogan Plaza between 10 am and 3 pm.
Presented by the Multicultural Student Services Center
Kogan Plaza
11:00am - 12:00pm EST
As part of the GW celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members are invited to participate in a day of service and leadership development. Last year, over 400 participants gathered virtually for the opening program with keynote speakers and headed to virtual service sites and workshops.
NEW!!! This year, MLK Day of Service and Leadership 2022 will take place virtually on Monday, January 17, 2022. GW will open the spring semester virtually until at least January 18, therefore MLK Day will be in a fully virtual format. Registration is open to GW students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members.
Schedule At-A-Glance:
Ross Hall Lobby (Pending GW COVID procedures)
12:00 - 1:30pm EST
Join the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for cookies and the premiere of the "Advancing the Dream: We Cannot Walk Alone" short film to celebrate and honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
Via Zoom
2:00pm EST
Join us as we welcome a diverse group of practicing Quakers representing the Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) Working Group on Racism and the Washington Society of Friends. David Etheridge and Sabrina McCarthy will lead a conversation with three panelists about specific and unique aspects of the Quaker faith.
Since their arrival in the 1600s, Quakers welcomed victims of the American slave trade, freed Blacks, women, and indigenous people to Silent Meeting for Worship and leadership in the community. From their first arrival, through abolitionism, emancipation, reconstruction, Jim Crow, Black Nationalism, the Renaissance, Integration, Affirmative Action, Civil Rights, and the March on Washington. Quakers and the Black community remain inextricably linked. The foundation of the Quaker faith is built on integrity, equality, simplicity, community, stewardship of the earth, and peace. You will also discover the connection between Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Quakers, and King's beloved community.
Via Zoom
5:00 - 6:15pm EST
See full entry above in "2022 Keynote Event" section for more information.
Meet at the MSSC
12:00 - 2:00pm EST
Join us for a casual walk through historic sites on the George Washington University Campus, south to the plaza at the President Abraham Lincoln Memorial, and onward to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Memorial. All participants should follow standard Covid 19 safety protocols. Wearing masks and social distancing is required. Comfortable shoes and comfortable, weather appropriate attire is recommended. Reflections from the walk will be shared in the MSSC Newsletter and on the King Week Website.
Depart from the Multicultural Student Services Center, 2127 G Street NW at Noon.
Via Webex
12:00 - 1:30pm EST
The 6th Annual SMHS Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Week "Advancing the Dream: We Cannot Walk Alone" Lecture Series begins on Wednesday, January 26th, 2022, from noon to 1:30 p.m. featuring Dr. Michelle Morse (she/her), Deputy Commissioner for the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness & Chief Medical Officer at the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.
Via Webex
12:00 - 1:30pm EST
The 6th Annual SMHS Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Week "Advancing the Dream: We Cannot Walk Alone" Lecture Series ends on Thursday, January 27th, 2022, from noon to 1:30 p.m. featuring George M. Johnson (They/Them), Author of "All Boys Aren't Blue" and "We Are Not Broken."
Martin Luther King Jr. speaking at interfaith civil rights rally, San Francisco’s Cow Palace, June 30, 1964.
Past King Weeks
Visit the King Week 2021 Webpage to learn more about the 2021 celebration and view its full calendar of events.
Visit the King Week 2020 Webpage to learn more about the 2020 celebration and view its full calendar of events.
