Service, social and healing opportunities along with other special programs at Elon during January will commemorate the life and legacy of the late civil rights leader.
Elon University will celebrate the life, lessons and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of events throughout the month of January.
The theme for 2022 MLK Day celebrations is “Embodying the Four Basic Steps of a Non-Violent Campaign.” The four steps, based on King’s 1963 Letter From Birmingham Jail, are:
- Collection of the facts to determine whether injustices are alive (Research): We must understand the contexts where we exist so we can be intentional about addressing injustice.
- Negotiation (Democracy & Dialogue): We must develop our skills to advocate and understand each other while having difficult conversations.
- Self-purification (or Self-reckoning): We must deepen our awareness of biases and prejudices in our communities.
- Direct action (Service): We must be the change in the communities we wish to see.
Each event’s aim is to provide opportunities to “make the invisible visible” and advance the intersectional understanding of racism, classism and other injustices.
If you have any questions about the events, please contact CREDE Program Coordinator Simone Royal at sroyal2@elon.edu or 336-278-7243.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Commemorative Events
United Way of Alamance County and the CityGate Dream Center Food and Diaper Drive
Tuesday, Jan. 4 through Thursday, Jan. 13
Kernodle Center for Civic Life, Moseley 230
In partnership with the United Way of Alamance County and the CityGate Dream Center, the Kernodle Center is coordinating a food and diaper drive from Monday, Jan. 3 through Thursday, Jan. 13. Items can be dropped off at the Kernodle Center for Civic Life in Moseley 232.
The National Day of Racial Healing
Tuesday, Jan. 18
College Coffee, Alamance Fountain, Lakeside 212 & 213
The National Day of Racial Healing offers communities time and space for racial healing by gathering to take collective action for a more just and equitable world. The focus of the National Day of Racial Healing aligns with Elon’s vision for Inclusive Excellence. As a community, we embrace our shared responsibility to create a community that supports belonging and well-being, strives to dismantle oppression, and acts deliberately toward equitable outcomes. Engaging in racial healing and learning as a community enables us to move toward our Inclusive Excellence goals.
The Elon community is invited to participate in the National Day of Racial Healing in several ways:
CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER – Special College Coffee, Noon
- For the Special Coffee Gathering in recognition of MLK Jr. Day and the National Day of Racial Healing, we invite the campus to a community gathering in McKinnon Hall to enjoy a performance by The Melanated Melodies, an acapella group that aims to bring hope and upliftment on a day of unity and healing.
Social Media Engagement
- On your respective social media pages, respond to the prompt “Racial Healing is important to me because…” and include #HowWeHeal and #HealingatElon.
CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER – Walk for Racial Healing, 4:30 p.m.
- Gather by Fonville Fountain in front of Alamance Building to walk for Racial Healing as a community to Lakeside Meeting Rooms. In case of inclement weather, we will meet at Lakeside 212 & 213 at 5 p.m.
SHIFTED TO VIRTUAL EVENT – How We Heal Dinner, 5 p.m.
- This gathering will focus on strategies for Racial Healing within our Elon Community. We invite you to participate in a virtual How We Heal gathering . Register HERE (be sure to log in to Zoom with your authenticated elon.edu account).
For more information, please contact the Office of Inclusive Excellence Education and Development at 336-278-7265 or email Carla Fullwood (cfullwood@elon.edu) or Alonzo Cee (acee@elon.edu)
MLK Student Build: Habitat for Humanity
Wednesday, Jan. 19, 8 to 11:30 a.m.
Kernodle Center for Civil Life, Moseley 230
Join Elon Volunteers at the Kernodle Center in Moseley 230 for a hands-on build shift with Habitat for Humanity to support our campus-sponsored house from 8-11:30 am on Wednesday, Jan. 19. This opportunity for students is hosted by the Kernodle Center for Civic Life. Spots are limited. Registration can be made here.
MLK Staff Build: Habitat for Humanity
Friday, Jan. 21, 8:30 to 11 a.m.
Kernodle Center for Civic Life, Moseley 230
In collaboration with the Staff Advisory Council, join Habitat for Humanity for a hands-on build shift to support our campus-sponsored house from 8-11:30 am on Friday, January 21st. This opportunity is for staff and faculty. Spots are limited and registration can be made here.
Supporting Elon’s First-Generation Students as Faculty & Staff
Friday, Jan 21, 12:15 p.m.
Virtual
In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore key demographics and existing resources for first-generation students at Elon, learn from student testimonials about what enhances or undermines their experience, and brainstorm ways to better support them across all corners of the university. Co-sponsored by the Center for Access and Success and the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL). Registration can be made here.