Events include keynote with author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
SALEM, MA – Salem State University will host its 30th annual MLK Week January 20-27, a weeklong celebration honoring the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Founded in 1990, this community-centered series of events honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s commitment to civil rights and social justice and challenges us to consider ways in which we can be socially engaged. All events are free and open to the general public and media.
This year’s celebration explores the theme, Lift Every Voice, Now More Than Ever. “Our theme is based on the poem Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, that later became the Black National Anthem,” remarks Rebecca Latin, interim chief diversity and inclusion officer. “This anthem serves as a reminder to all that each generation has had to “lift” their own voices to demand and protect their rights. It’s a song we can still sing- and stand for- with pride while reflecting on the past, and actively working towards a more just and inclusive future.”
The week begins with a candlelight vigil, Freedom March, and awards reception on January 21 and culminates with MLK Convocation on January 27. Convocation will feature a timely keynote address by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, a New York Times bestselling author of the ground-breaking books How to Be An Antiracist and Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, and the founding director of The Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University. The keynote will be followed by an author Q&A and book signing. A limited number of Kendi’s How to Be An Antiracist will be available for purchase at the event. For more information on this speaker please visit www.prhspeakers.com.
The full schedule of events is below:
Monday, January 20, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 21, 4:30 – 7 pm
MLK Vigil, Freedom March, Awards Reception |Veterans Hall, Ellison Campus Center and will conclude at Viking Hall, room 123
Thursday, January 23, 12 -1:30 pm
“How to Be an Antiracist” Book Dialogue with Dr. Neenah Estrella-Luna| MLK, Jr. Room, Ellison Campus Center
Thursday, January 23, 3 – 4:30 pm
“Through the Wire: Hip Hop’s Birthplace & MLK’s Legacy” Writing Workshop with the LEAD Office | LEAD Center for Diversity & Cultural Enrichment, Ellison Campus Center
Monday, January 27, 11:30 am – 1:15 pm*
Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation Keynote, Q&A, and Book Signing with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi| Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts *Still photos are allowed by media only at this event.
The 30th annual MLK Week is organized by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Black History Month Collaborative, which includes members of the Black Employee Resource Group, Center for Creative and Performing Arts, Department of Sociology, Enrollment Management, First Year Experience, Inclusive Excellence Office, Institutional Advancement, LEAD (Leadership, Engagement, Advocacy and Diversity) Office, Multicultural Student Association, Salem’s No Place for Hate Committee, School of Social Work, and Urban Arts Theatre.
About Salem State University
Salem State University, established in 1854, is a comprehensive, public institution of higher learning located approximately 15 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts. One of the largest state universities in the Commonwealth, Salem State enrolls more than 7,500 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers 32 undergraduate programs and graduate programs that offer degrees in 24 fields. The university also has a continuing education division that offers both credit and non-credit programs. Known for the academic strength of its faculty, Salem State was named a Top Producer of U.S. Fulbright Scholars in 2011 and for the 2016-2017 academic year. The university is designated a Top College and University by Military Advanced Education and a Best for Vets College by Military Times. Salem State proudly participates in the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement and has shown a student voting rate well above the national average, earning the university a gold seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
Why Support Creative North Shore? Help us Prevent a Paywall!
Creative North Shore is a FREE program. We are dedicated to keeping you up to date on the latest arts and culture events, cultural news and creative happenings on the North Shore, and we need your help to not create a paywall for content. Thank you for reading, and if you’d like to support our efforts directly, considering joining the Collective Club (and win free stuff!), sign up for a recurring contribution in any amount, or If you would like to see your events and Information show up here please consider becoming an individual or corporate business member.
