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Multicultural Student Services Center

Office of Community, Culture and Inclusion

Join GW in Celebrating King Week

King Week

The Multicultural Student Services Center at George Washington University hosts our annual King Week every January. This is a powerful opportunity to honor the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This series of events fosters reflection, dialogue, and service to advance Dr. King's vision of equity, justice, and the Beloved Community. Through engaging programs, inspiring speakers, and collaborative activities, King Week encourages the GW community to celebrate our diversity, challenge systemic inequities, and commit to meaningful social change. It is a time to unite in the spirit of service and solidarity, reinforcing the values that Dr. King championed, and ensuring his message continues to resonate in our lives and work. Partners for MSSC’s King Week include the Office for Community, Culture, and Inclusion, the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service, the Graduate School for Education and Human Development, the Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, and the GW Black Alumni Association.

King Week 2027 Events

Stock the Pantry with MSSC & GW Black Alumni Association

Join MSSC and the GW Black Alumni Association for the Annual Stock the Pantry event, a proud tradition held each year. This initiative helps restock the MSSC pantry with essential food and hygiene items. Your contribution will directly support GW students, helping ease the financial pressures that can come with the transition back to classes. Whether you donate items, volunteer your time, or simply spread the word, your participation helps ensure every student has access to the basic necessities they need to thrive.

MLK Day of Service and Leadership

Dr. King recognized the power of service. He famously said, "Everyone can be great because everybody can serve." GW’s MLK Day of Service and Leadership is a day to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a day of service, workshops, and reflection. This day of service is a unique opportunity for hundreds of GW students, faculty, staff, alumni, and DC community members to strengthen their service values, create positive and impactful contributions to our communities, and commit to continuing acts of service as exemplified by Dr. King. Please visit the MLK Day of Service information page or email gwservesatgwsu [dot] edu (gwserves[at]gwsu[dot]edu) for more information. 

GSEHD MLK Lecture

The MLK Lecture is GSEHD's contribution to GW's King Week. The event is meant to highlight the work of "young" scholars whose emerging research agenda speaks to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King in using educational research to combat anti-Black racism, bigotry, and/or oppression based on social identity in all forms. For more information, please contact gwgsehdatgwu [dot] edu.

Basic Needs Bags for the Beloved Community

Join us in giving back to the Beloved Community by assembling Basic Needs Bags for our neighbors in the DC community. Each bag will be thoughtfully filled with hygiene items, snacks, and other daily essentials to provide comfort and support to those who need it most. Adding a personal touch, students will include handwritten notes in every bag, reminding recipients that their community sees and cares for them. Once assembled, these bags will be delivered directly to shelters throughout DC, extending King Week's spirit of service into tangible acts of compassion for the community.

MSSC King Week Conversations

Join us for King Week Conversations, a signature event that invites thought-provoking speakers to explore how Dr. King's legacy connects to the real-world issues shaping our society today. This powerful discussion creates space for reflection and dialogue, encouraging attendees to consider how the principles of justice, equity, and service remain as relevant now as ever. Past speakers have included Dr. Adjoa B. Asamoa, Maryland State Senator Alonzo Washington, and Prince George's County Council Member Wanika Fisher, each bringing unique perspectives on leadership and community impact. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation and carry the spirit of King Week's mission forward into action.

Self-Guided Tour with the King Legacy in DC

Take yourself for a thoughtfully curated tour that celebrates the life and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while exploring Washington, D.C.'s profound civil rights history. This self-guided journey takes you through iconic landmarks, historic sites, and meaningful locations tied to the movement for justice and equality. Whether you're a local or visiting the nation's capital, this tour offers an inspiring way to reflect on Dr. King's vision and the ongoing fight for civil rights. Lace up your walking shoes and experience history come alive!

  1. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
    • Location: 1964 Independence Ave SW
    • Time Spent: 30-45 minutes
    • Description: Begin at the MLK Memorial, a powerful tribute dedicated in 2011. The centerpiece is the "Stone of Hope," featuring a striking statue of Dr. King emerging from granite, inspired by his "I Have a Dream" speech. Surrounding it are excerpts from his speeches engraved on walls.
    • Tip: Reflect on the inscriptions and enjoy the views across the Tidal Basin.
  2. Lincoln Memorial
    • Location: 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW
    • Distance: ~10-minute walk
    • Time Spent: 20-30 minutes
    • Description: This is where MLK delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech during the 1963 March on Washington. Stand on the exact spot where he spoke, marked by an inscription on the steps. Reflect on the significance of his words in the shadow of the statue of Abraham Lincoln.
  3. Reflecting Pool
    • Distance: Steps away from the Lincoln Memorial
    • Time Spent: 10-15 minutes (optional stroll)
    • Description: The Reflecting Pool, where thousands gathered in peaceful solidarity during the March on Washington. It's a perfect place to imagine the sea of people who heard MLK's dream for equality and justice.
  4. National Museum of African American History and Culture
    • Location: 1400 Constitution Ave NW
    • Distance: ~15-minute walk from the Lincoln Memorial
    • Time Spent: 1-2 hours (reservations recommended)
    • Description: This Smithsonian museum offers a comprehensive look at African American history, with entire sections dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement, including MLK’s contributions. Artifacts, multimedia displays, and narratives bring the struggle for equality to life.
  5. Freedom Plaza
    • Location: 1455 Pennsylvania Ave NW
    • Distance: ~15-minute walk
    • Time Spent: 15-20 minutes
    • Description: Freedom Plaza features quotes from MLK and highlights the history of civil rights and social justice movements. The plaza is named for its association with freedom and frequently hosts demonstrations and rallies in the spirit of MLK’s advocacy.
  6. The White House (North Side)
    • Location: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
    • Distance: ~5-minute walk
    • Time Spent: 10-15 minutes
    • Description: Pause here to reflect on MLK’s meetings with Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, where he advocated for civil rights legislation. The White House represents the ongoing struggle for justice and policy changes that MLK fought for.
  7. United States Capitol
    • Location: East end of the National Mall
    • Distance: ~25-minute walk or short Metro ride
    • Time Spent: 20-30 minutes
    • Description: The Capitol symbolizes the legislative progress MLK championed, including the Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965). The site also honors his legacy with a bust of MLK in the Capitol’s Rotunda.