Service opportunities, gatherings and other special programs at Elon during January will commemorate the life and work of the late civil rights leader.
Elon University will celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the month of January with more than a dozen events hosted by departments, offices and programs from across campus.
The theme of this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration is “The American Dream,” inspired by King’s essay of the same name presented at Drew University on Feb. 5, 1964. In the speech, King cites racism, segregation, discrimination and violence as major deterrents to actualizing the American Dream for all.
The 2020 MLK Jr. Celebration will focus on anti-racism as essential in practice for democracy and the advancement of American society. The goal of each event is to advance theoretical understanding of racism and explore its impacts with the hope that this knowledge builds the capacity of participants to dismantle racism in all facets of modern society.
To help structure the programmatic offerings in memory of King and create pathways for involvement, the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education and the MLK Jr. Celebration Planning Committee have created three broader categories to organize events and prompt engagement:
LEARN: Programs in the learn pathway are informational and/or instructional in nature and may take the form of keynote speakers, invited lectures from faculty/staff within Elon (or beyond), involve undergraduate and faculty research or screenings of movies with panel-styled Q&A sessions, etc.
ENGAGE: Programs in the engage pathway allow participants to engage with others to explore a civic or community-based phenomenon that is more directly tied to one or more themes of King’s work, life and legacy. This can include the implementation and/or participation in a variety of community engagement and/or service-learning-esque events with partners in the community, deliberative dialogue and/or other expositions.
EXPRESS: Programs in the express pathway seek to highlight various, multidimensional aspects of the lived experience at the intersection of concepts and themes related to Martin Luther King Jr. This may include creative, musical, dance and theatrical performances, oratorical contests, and panels of Elon students, faculty and staff.
Anyone with questions about the following events is encouraged to contact Brandon Bell, assistant director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity & Diversity Education, at bbell5@elon.edu.
Martin Luther King Jr. Campus Gathering- The American Dream
Monday, Jan. 6, 11:30 a.m.
McKinnon Hall, Moseley Student Center
Elon University’s Residential Dining and Campus Engagement in partnership with the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education (CREDE) will be sponsoring a special campus community gathering. In the spirit of College Coffee, we invite the campus community to attend and commemorate the life and legacy of one of the world’s most inspiring civil rights leaders. This year’s gathering will include remarks and an activity led by student leaders in the CREDE. Contact Brandon Bell at bbell5@elon.edu for more information. This program aligns with the Learn and Engage pathways in the 2020 MLK Jr. Calendar of Events.
Target Audience: Elon students, faculty and staff
Sponsored by the Center Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education and Residential Campus Dining and Engagement
Martin Luther King Jr. Global Neighborhood Film Screening: I Am Not Your Negro
Tuesday, Jan. 7, 6:30 p.m.
Global Commons, Global Media Room 103
“I Am Not Your Negro” envisions the book James Baldwin never finished, a radical narration about race in America, using the writer’s original words, as read by actor Samuel L. Jackson. Alongside a flood of rich archival material, the film draws upon Baldwin’s notes on the lives and assassinations of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. to explore and bring a fresh and radical perspective to the current racial narrative in America. Raoul Peck’s Oscar-nominated documentary is a journey into black history that connects the past of the Civil Rights movement to the present of #BlackLivesMatter. It is a film that questions black representation in Hollywood and beyond. And, ultimately, by confronting the deeper connections between the lives and assassination of these three leaders, Baldwin and Peck have produced a work that challenges the very definition of what America stands for. This program aligns with the Learn pathway in the 2020 MLK Jr. Calendar of Events.
Target Audience: Elon students, faculty, staff and community
Sponsored by the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, Global Neighborhood, and Housing and Residence Life
“Circle of Hope”- Discussion about Inclusive Pedagogies
Wednesday Jan. 8, 11:45 a.m.
Belk Pavilion 208
In his work, Martin Luther King Jr. combined hope for a better future with a willingness to confront the unjust realities of the present and past. In this “Circle of Hope” discussion, faculty panelists will share how and why they focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in their courses, as a similar act of hope, despite challenges. Panelists from a variety of disciplines will share strategies they have used to create more inclusive and accessible courses, from decisions about course design and course framing to everyday pedagogical strategies.
Participants will discuss ways we might actively create more inclusive classrooms as an act of hope for a more equitable future for our students and ourselves and as a way to promote learning and growth — our own and our students’ — about human diversity and interdependence. Register here.
Target Audience: Open to all interested Elon faculty and staff
Sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning and Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Project
Friday, Jan. 10, 8:30 a.m. to noon
Habitat for Humanity House – Burlington, North Carolina
Join Elon Volunteers! for a service project with Habitat for Humanity as part of MLK month activities. Volunteers will contribute with hands-on work at this year’s Elon University-sponsored Habitat for Humanity house in Burlington. The shift will last from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and transportation will be provided. Once you sign up, the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement will be in touch with more logistical information. This program aligns with the Engage pathway in the 2020 MLK Jr. Calendar of Events. Click here to register.
Target Audience: Elon students, faculty, staff and community
Sponsored by the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement
EDIT-A-Thon for Social Justice
Sunday, Jan. 12, 11 a.m.
Belk Library 113
Join friends in Belk Library for a Wikipedia Edit-a-ton! Enjoy pizza and snacks while you learn about editing Wikipedia and contribute to improving Black history representation and sources on Wikipedia. Free food from Mellow Mushroom will be served. This program aligns with the Learn, Engage and Express pathways in the 2020 MLK Jr. Calendar of Events.
Target Audience: Elon faculty, staff and students
Sponsored by Carol Grotnes Belk Library and the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education
Martin Luther King Jr. Collegiate Oratorical Contest – CANCELLED
Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, 6 p.m.
Irazu Coffee Shop, Moseley Student Center
The Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education, in partnership with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., are thrilled to host the MLK Jr. Collegiate Oratorical Contest. Interested collegians can acquire the prompt and register to participate in the contest here. Those seeking to compete in the oratorical contest must register by Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 5 p.m. We invite the campus community to attend the oratorical presentations from our students. Contact Brandon Bell at bbell5@elon.edu for more information. This program aligns with the Engage and Express pathways in the 2020 MLK Jr. Calendar of Events.
Target Audience: Elon students, faculty and staff
Sponsored by the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Sonia Manzano “Multi-Racial Latinos & the Civil Rights Movement” – 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Lecture
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 6 p.m.
McCrary Theater, Center for the Arts
Sonia Manzano is best known for inspiring, educating and delighting children as “Maria” on “Sesame Street.” Manzano was a fixture on the iconic program for more than 30 years, having broken ground as one of the first Hispanic characters on national television. Raised in the South Bronx, her involvement in the arts was inspired by teachers who encouraged her to audition for the High School of Performing Arts. Following study at Carnegie Mellon University, Manzano landed a role in the original production of the off-Broadway show “Godspell”. Within a year, she had joined “Sesame Street,” eventually writing scripts for the series. She played Maria for more than four decades until her retirement from the show in 2015.
Admission: $15 or Elon ID. Tickets now available at the Center for the Arts Box Office. Contact the Center for the Arts at (336) 278-5610 for additional information.
Inclusive Teaching in STEM Disciplines
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 11:45 a.m.
Belk Pavilion 208
Despite extensive nationwide concerns about the demographics of STEM disciplines, students of color, women, and other student populations continue to enroll in and graduate from most STEM majors at substantially lower levels than many other fields. How might we, as STEM faculty, take ownership over this problem, come to understand its relationship to systemic privilege embedded in dominant U.S. culture and institutions, and design courses in which students from historically underrepresented groups can and will succeed in parity with their peers? Join us for a reflective and generative conversation that explores these and other questions to help us map out faculty practice for inclusive student success in STEM. Interested persons can register here. This program aligns with the Learn and Engage pathway in the 2020 MLK Jr. Calendar of Events.
Target Audience: Elon faculty, staff and students
Sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning and the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education
International Museum of Civil Rights – Cultural Excursion
Saturday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m.
Station at Mill Point, Clubhouse
The Station at Mill Point and the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education are excited to partner to sponsor a trip for Elon University students and the community members of Morgan Place and Ball Park Communities to the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. Positioned directly beside the Station at Mill Point Residential Community, the Morgan Place and Ball Park Communities are historical black communities of Elon, North Carolina. Students interested in participating in this cultural excursion can sign up here. Space is limited to the first 12 students who RSVP. Contact Billy Baker at bbaker20@elon.edu or Brandon Bell at bbell5@elon.edu for more information. This program aligns with the Learn and Engage pathways in the 2020 MLK Jr. Calendar of Events.
Target Audience: Elon students
Sponsored by the Center Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education, the Station at Mill Point and Housing and Residence Life
Martin Luther King Jr. Church Service
Sunday, Jan. 19, 10:50 a.m.
Elon First Baptist Church 113 Lynn Street Elon, NC
We welcome Elon students, faculty, staff and community to join us in fellowship at Elon First Baptist Church as we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Join us after service for continued fellowship, fun and games. Contact Marilyn Slade at mslade3@elon.edu for more information. This program aligns with the Engage and Express pathways in the 2020 MLK Jr. Calendar of Events.
Target Audience: Elon students, faculty and staff
Sponsored by Elon First Baptist Church and the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education
Martin Luther King Jr. Soup and Society
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m.
McBride Gathering Space (Numen Lumen)
East Neighborhood and the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education are excited to host the second installment of Soup & Society for this academic year. This is an interactive and dialogue-driven event focused on MLK Jr., race, and equity, while providing space for individuals to participate in story-telling and experience-sharing. This program aligns with the Learn and Engage pathways in the 2020 MLK Jr Calendar of Events.
Target Audience: Elon faculty, staff and students
Sponsored by East Neighborhood, Housing and Residence Life and the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education
wInterfaith Luncheon Series: Dr. Charles Irons on Race, Privilege, and American Christianity
Wednesday, Jan. 22, 11:45 a.m.
Elon Community Church
wInterfaith Luncheon will honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by examining the intersection of faith and social justice in the ongoing struggle for civil rights. Professor of History Charles Irons will offer historical and personal reflections on the enduring impact of whiteness and racism on American Christianity and what this means for faith-informed social justice work today. The event is free for students, faculty and staff. This program aligns with the Learn pathway in the 2020 MLK Jr. Calendar of Events.
Target Audience: Elon faculty, staff and students
Sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life and Elon Community Church
People of Conviction: A Lawyer’s Obligations – Elon Law School Martin Luther King Jr. Keynote Speaker Dave Morrow ’07, L ’10
Wednesday, Jan. 22, 12:30 p.m.
Room 207, Elon Law School
The struggle for civil rights and the pursuit of racial equality in the United States cannot be discussed without considering the significant contributions of lawyers. Attorney David Morrow ’07 L’10 will discuss the role and impact of the many lawyers that served Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during his lifetime and the valuable lessons in leadership and service that can be learned from these great examples of lawyer leaders. Morrow is a nationally recognized attorney, journalist and genealogist. He is a contributing writer and special legal correspondent for the American Bar Association Young Lawyer Magazine where he has covered the NBA All-Star Games and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and writes regularly about the intersection of pop culture, race and the law. He also speaks regularly about diversity in the legal profession and recently served as the inaugural director of the Men of Color Project for the American Bar Association.
Target Audience: Elon faculty, staff and students
Sponsored by the Elon University School of Law
2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee
- Brandon Bell, Chair – Assistant Director, Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education
- Amanda Alberti – Community Director of Global Neighborhood, Housing and Residence Life
- Kyle Anderson – Assistant Director of Student Community Engagement Programs, Kernodle Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement
- Billy Baker – Community Director of The Station at Mill Point, Housing and Residence Life
- Kelsey Bitting – Assistant Director, Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning
- Libby Coyner – Archivist and Assistant Librarian, Carol Grotnes Belk Library
- Amy Chilcutt – Academic-Residential Partnerships for Dining Engagement
- Stacie Dooley – Director of Student Life, Elon School of Law
- Jennifer Eidum – Assistant Professor of English
- Fredrick Evans ’20 – Sigma Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
- Jennifer Fish – Associate Director of Elon Teaching Fellows, Elon University School of Education
- Patti Gibbons – Associate Director of Cultural and Special Programs
- Joel Harter – Associate University Chaplain, Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life
- Deandra Little – Assistant Provost, Director, Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning and Professor of English
- Eukela Little ’22 – Student Coordinator, Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education
- Derrick Luster ’20 – Student Coordinator, Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education
- Jennifer Gilbert Mencarini – Director of Career Development, Elon School of Law
- Jordan Vaughn ’20 – President, Omicron Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- Marilyn Slade – Program Assistant, Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education
- Shawn Thompson ’21 – Graduate Apprentice, Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement
- Sylvia Wade – Community Director of East Neighborhood, Housing and Residence Life