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Division of Academic and Student Affairs
Multicultural Student Affairs

MLK Campus Commemoration 2025

Join MSA and the entire NC State campus community as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 21 to January 24, 2025

The theme for this year’s MLK Campus Commemoration, “Bridging Generations: Lighting the Way and Illuminating the Future,” honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy in a way that reflects NC State’s values of learning, connection, and shared purpose. This theme encourages us to think about how each generation’s experiences shape our community, helping us learn from one another in meaningful ways. “Lighting the Way” recognizes the wisdom of those who came before us, offering guidance that helps us navigate today’s challenges. “Illuminating the Future” invites us to look ahead with hope and a sense of responsibility, as we work together to create a welcoming environment for all. These ideas remind us that building a strong community is a collective effort, one where every voice and story has a place.

This week’s events and all MSA-sponsored and hosted programs are open to all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members from all backgrounds. 

2025 MLK Intergenerational Keynote Panel

WHEN: Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 2 p.m. EST. Reception to immediately follow.
WHERE: Coastal Ballroom, Talley Student Union Registration Link

Our 2025 MLK commemoration discussants are:

  • Jayla Moody Marshall (she/her) Ph.D. student in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development higher education opportunity, equity, and justice concentration – Facilitator
  • Caston Reaves II (he/him), Student, Black Male Initiative  
  • Jaida Ellis (she/her), Graduate Assistant, Multicultural Student Affairs
  • Dr. Maru Gonzalez (she/her/ella), Associate Professor & Extension Specialist
  • Dr. Roshaunda Breeden (she/her), Assistant Professor | Higher Education Opportunity, Equity, & Justice 
  • Dasan Ahanu (he/him), public speaker, organizer, curator, educator, poet, spoken word artist, educator, songwriter, and emcee

Please contact multicultural@ncsu.edu with if you have any questions about the Keynote Panel

MLK Commemoration Events

Intergenerational Keynote Panel | 2pm, Coastal Ballroom, Talley Student Union

On Tuesday, January 21, the MLK Campus Commemoration will feature an intergenerational keynote session and a meet-and-greet with panelists embodying this year’s theme, “Bridging Generations: Lighting the Way and Illuminating the Future.” This event invites participants to learn from speakers of different generations and engage in conversations highlighting the shared insights and connections that shape our campus community.

Art Workshop | 6 pm, AACC Room 356 – Witherspoon Student Center 

On Wednesday, January 22, students can participate in the art workshop, “Lighting the Way and Illuminating the Future,” where they’ll create artwork inspired by this year’s MLK Campus Commemoration theme. In partnership with Arts NC State and the Arts Village this workshop allows students to express their interpretations, with the finished pieces displayed in a pop-up exhibit in Talley and Witherspoon, showcasing the creativity and perspectives of our community.

Immersive VMLK Screening & Sign Making Event | 10am to 2pm, The Landing Room 3201, James B. Hunt Jr. Library Centennial Campus

On Wednesday, January 22, in The Landing at Hunt Library on Centennial Campus will host an immersive virtual reality screening of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches, connecting to this year’s theme, “Bridging Generations: Lighting the Way and Illuminating the Future.” This event invites participants to reflect on Dr. King’s powerful messages and explore his historic visit to Durham, North Carolina fostering a deeper understanding of how his vision continues to inspire our community today through CHASS’s Virtual Martin Luther King, Jr. Project. During the screening there will also be an opportunity to make signs in The Technology Showcase (Room 2200) for the March Like Martin Event.

March Like Martin Event | 12:30pm, Stafford Commons to Harris Field 

On Friday, January 24, at 12:30 PM, join us for the March Like Martin event, starting at Stafford Commons and concluding at Harris Field. This event reflects this year’s theme, “Bridging Generations: Lighting the Way and Illuminating the Future,” as a current student leader and MSW student, Jaida Ellis will share insights on connecting Dr. King’s legacy to our community today. During the event, folks will have an opportunity to make signs. Participants will be encouraged to embrace Dr. King’s spirit of unity and purpose as we march together.

MLK Campus Community Conversation | 3pm, AACC Room 356 – Witherspoon Student Center 

On Friday, January 24, at 3 PM, join us for a Campus Community Conversation in the  African American Cultural Center (AACC) Living Room, where faculty, staff, students, and alumni will discuss over a free meal how to bring Dr. King’s work to life today. This event connects to this year’s theme, “Bridging Generations: Lighting the Way and Illuminating the Future,” by exploring the balance between personal wellness and the responsibilities of leadership in our community. AYA Ambassadors and other student leaders will collaborate with professionals, including Dr. Kierra Carter, the Embedded Counselor for AACC and Multicultural Student Affairs, to guide discussions, sharing insights and strategies for meaningful engagement. A dinner meal will be served to participants who register for the event, limited spots are available.

MLK Planning Committee
Multicultural Student Affairs extends gratitude to the various campus and community partners who have helped to plan and curate this week long MLK Campus Commemoration 2025 experience. Partners representing the following units, organizations and colleges were integral to the week’s success:

Division of Academic and Student Affairs, African American Cultural Center, Black Alumni Society, DASA Assessment, Fraternity and Sorority Life, New Student Programs, Student Success, University Housing, University Communications and Marketing, College of Engineering and University Libraries.

As your organizations, departments, colleges, and offices begin finishing your planning for how you will celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., please add your events to the university calendar and share a link to them with Dr. Jameco McKenzie at ljmckenz@ncsu.edu to be included in on our MLK Campus Commemoration Landing Page. 

A Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Book List: Bridging Generations: Lighting the Way and Illuminating the Future

Curated by Wynter Douglas (They/Them), Interim African American Cultural Center Library Coordinator, January 2025

 In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. check out the African American Cultural Center Library’s collection of books about and by Martin Luther King jr and his family. This year the theme of March like Martin seeks to bridge generations and highlight the importance of being guided by past lessons to create better, more equitable futures. This book list consists of books for people of all ages to share with one another as we reflect on and learn from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. 

Each item is hyperlinked to their library catalog entry. You can request these books online or come in person to check out or read these books in the African American Cultural Center Library in Witherspoons Student Center 2nd floor – through the AACC Gallery!

Biographies on Martin Luther King jr:

  • King: a biography
    • Available at the African American Cultural Center Library 
    • Explore the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in this critically acclaimed biography. This book also includes photographs of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 
  • The autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.
    • Available at the African American Cultural Center Library
    • This  posthumous autobiography was woven together by Clayborne Carson using the essays, notes, letters, speeches, and sermons that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. left behind. By showcasing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. using his own words, readers get an intimate glimpse into the man behind the legend and how he viewed himself and those around him.

 Books By Martin Luther King Jr:

     There are 141 books about Martin Luther King Jr. just in the AACC Library alone! Below are books written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. himself so that you can read about his first hand experiences, thoughts and ideas in his own words.

  • The radical King
    • Available at the African American Cultural Center Library 
    • These collected essays and speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King jr. are curated to show his more radical beliefs that sometimes get overlooked or misconstrued. Read this book to get a more holistic and nuanced understanding ofDr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s values and philosophies.
  • The words of Martin Luther King, Jr.
    • Available at the African American Cultural Center Library 
    • This book is a collection of the writings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. curated by Corretta Scott King. It was created with the intention of it being a living memorial for him.
  • A testament of hope : the essential writings and speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr.
    • Available at the African American Cultural Center Library 
    • ‘A testament to hope’ is a curated collection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s writings, speeches, and sermons edited by the historian, educator, and minister James Melvin Washington.
  • The trumpet of conscience
    • Available at the African American Cultural Center Library 
    • A Collection of 5  orations that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave in 1967 for the annual Massey Lectures through the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). These orations are titled: “Impasse in Race Relations”, “Conscience and the Vietnam War”, “Youth and Social Action”, “Nonviolence and Social Change” and “A Christmas Sermon on Peace”
  • Where do we go from here: chaos or community?
    • Available at the African American Cultural Center Library 
    • This is the final book that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote. He was very intentional in doing a writing retreat so that he could focus on writing this book in Jamaica for a whole month. This item gives the reader insight into the progression or evolution of his philosophies as well as what he believed the path forward would be.
  • Why we can’t wait
    • Available at the African American Cultural Center Library  
    • This is the 3rd book that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.wrote. It focuses on the spring and summer of 1963 and the history of Black oppression contextualized to the time he wrote the book. 

Books by and about the King Family:

     This year’s March like Martin theme highlights intergenerational community and connections. What better way to model that than through familial ties and relationships? Check out these books written by or about members of the King family:

  • Coretta Scott King : civil rights activist
    • Available at the African American Cultural Center Library 
    • Read about the life and activism of Coretta Scott King. In this book you’ll learn how she lobbied for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day to be a national holiday, and her integral civil rights activism. Coretta Scott King is an exemplary example of how to forge forward towards a bright and more just future.
  • Growing up King : an intimate memoir
    • Available at the African American Cultural Center Library  
    • Dexter Scott King, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s son, writes about the impact his father and his fathers assassination had on his life. He explores his fight for justice for his father and his involvement in the King Center.

Books for young adults and children:

Did you know that the African American Cultural Center Library has a collection of children and young adult books? If you’re looking for books to read with your children check out these inspiring options:

  • Dear Martin
    • Available at the African American Cultural Center Library 
    • This juvenile fiction book confronts issues of racial profiling, police brutality, and racial inequity through the lens of a young Black teenager, Justyce. In order to work through his experiences with racism and discrimination, Justyce writes letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

How to find more books:

To search the African American Cultural Center Library collection, visit the NCSU library catalog “Books and Media” and use the left hand side menu labeled “Library Location” and select “AACC Library”. Then you can use the search bar to explore the collection! Try searching for “Civil rights”, “activism”, or “solidarity” to explore a rich collection of Black culture, society,  and history. 

Explore the Archive:

Visit the Special Collections Research Center at the NC State University Libraries to explore the rich history of celebrating and honoring Martin Luther King Jr. at NC State throughout the years!

https://d.lib.ncsu.edu/collections/?q=%22Martin+Luther+king+Jr.%22

Accommodations

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, NC State will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Direct accommodation requests to Dr. Jameco McKenzie at ljmckenz@ncsu.edu