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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 action to advance Dr. King's vision of equity, justice, and 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 Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement, 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 2025 Events

King Day of Service & 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. 

 

Explore and Reflect: Honoring Dr. King Through Media

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy have inspired countless films, books, articles, podcasts, and more. Take time to honor his remarkable contributions by diving into these powerful resources. Watch a film, read an article, or listen to a podcast that captures his vision and impact. Engage in meaningful discussions with classmates, colleagues, or loved ones to reflect on his message of justice, equality, and nonviolence. Together, we can deepen our understanding of his legacy and carry forward his dream.

Biographies

  • The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Clayborne Carson
  • Bearing the Cross by David J. Garrow
  • Martin Luther King: The Inconvenient Hero by Vincent Harding

Dr. King’s Writings

  • Why We Can’t Wait by Martin Luther King Jr.
  • Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story by Martin Luther King Jr.
  • Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? by Martin Luther King Jr.

Articles

  • The Forgotten Radical History of the March on Washington – The Atlantic
  • King's Final Year – The New Yorker
  • A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr.
    • Where to Access: Available in excerpts on TIME Magazine, The Atlantic, and other archival collections.

Podcasts

  • King's Last March – Throughline
    • Where to Listen: NPR.org, Spotify, Apple Podcasts.
  • MLK's Radical Vision – Code Switch (NPR)
    • Where to Listen: NPR.org, Spotify, Apple Podcasts.
  • The Drum Major Instinct – Revisionist History (Malcolm Gladwell)
  • The Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. – Stuff You Should Know
    • Where to Listen: iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts.

Speeches & Audio Recordings

  • "I Have a Dream" Speech (1963)
    • Where to Access: YouTube: Search for "I Have a Dream speech full".
  • "I've Been to the Mountaintop" Speech (1968)
    • Where to Access: YouTube: Full audio and video versions available.
  • "Letter from Birmingham Jail" (Audio Reading)
    • Where to Access: YouTube: Multiple readings available.

GSEHD 2025 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. This year the MLK Lecture is being facilitated by GSEHD's Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy.

Basic Needs Bags for the Beloved Community

As part of MLK Week, we invite you to help create Basic Needs Bags for the Beloved Community filled with hygiene items, snacks, essentials, and heartfelt personal notes written by GW students. These bags will be distributed to shelters in the DC community to support our neighbors in need and spread kindness throughout the Beloved Community. Your participation will make a meaningful difference as we come together to uplift and serve others, embodying Dr. King’s vision of compassion and unity. Let’s make an impact—one bag at a time.

  • 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., MSSC

MSSC King Week Conversation with Dr. Adjoa Asamoah

Join us for an inspiring conversation that challenges students to reflect on their unique identities and recognize the transformative power of unity. Our speaker will challenge attendees to embrace who they are, understand their fullest potential, and harness the strength found in working together toward shared goals. This event will ignite a sense of purpose and encourage students to become active participants in creating meaningful and sustainable change in their communities and beyond. This is a powerful #OnlyAtGW experience that will inspire and motivate students engaged in creating change

  • Dr. Adjoa Asamoah, Ed.D., is a lifelong racial equity champion, award-winning social impact strategist, highly sought-after political operative, and history-making policy architect. She wears multiple hats daily, and debunks the outdated myth—you can’t master multiple trades. Dr. Asamoah is a GW graduate from GSEHD and widely known for her role as the CROWN Act champion.
  • 6 p.m.
  • USC Amphitheater

Stock the Pantry & Breakfast With the GW Black Alumni Association

To close out King Week, the MSSC in partnership with the Black Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving invites current students to connect, engage, and build meaningful relationships with alumni. Together, we’ll celebrate community and shared values while making an impact by stocking the MSSC pantry with essential items for students. This event not only fosters connections across generations of GW students, but also supports students and community members in need, embodying Dr. King’s vision of service and collective uplift. Join us in strengthening the bonds that make our community thrive.

  • 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • MSSC Lounge

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.