Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Series

A series of virtual events for the Vanderbilt community will celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 18. Beginning this year, MLK Day is a paid staff holiday, aligning with VU’s efforts to strengthen equity, diversity and inclusion. Read More

Ethiopian American novelist Dinaw Mengestu, known for his powerful and personal depictions of the immigrant experience and perspectives on the American dream, will be the keynote speaker for Vanderbilt University’s 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorative event on Monday, Jan. 18. Read More

Vanderbilt students, faculty, staff and postdoctoral fellows honored the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through programs, lectures, interactive teach-ins, community service projects and more as part of the university’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Series. Read More

During the keynote event of the 2020 MLK Commemorative Series, Janelle Monáe and Yusef Salaam discussed how stories have the power to bring truth to light, amplify inclusive narratives and shape the future. Read More

Vanderbilt's MLK Commemorative Series, which honors the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., continues today with the annual MLK Day march, convocation and campus teach-ins. Read More

In her latest "Open Mind" column, Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente reflects on the words carved into the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C.: “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” Read More

The MLK Commemorative Series kickoff begins at noon today at the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center. Events continue through Monday, with the Joint Day of Service on Saturday, Jan. 18, the MLK keynote event at Langford Auditorium featuring Janelle Monáe and Yusef Salaam on Sunday, Jan. 19, and the MLK Day march, convocation and teach-ins on Monday, Jan. 20. Read More

Janelle Monáe, a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, performer, producer and actor, and Yusef Salaam, one of the Exonerated Five, formerly known as the Central Park Five, will speak at Vanderbilt University on Jan. 19 as the featured panelists for the 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Series keynote event in Langford Auditorium. Read More

Vanderbilt faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate and professional students are invited to submit proposals to lead teach-ins during the university’s 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Series. Selected proposals will be awarded a $500 stipend. Read More

The Vanderbilt community celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a number of events leading up to and on MLK Day on Monday. Read More

Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos reflects on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Vanderbilt's history of encouraging open dialogue, which continues today, in this week's column. Read More

Vanderbilt will host its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Series Jan. 18-21, providing numerous lectures, service learning opportunities and events for the university community. Political reporter April Ryan will deliver this year’s keynote address Jan. 21. Read More

White House Correspondent April Ryan will deliver the 2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Series keynote address on Monday, Jan. 21, in Langford Auditorium. Read More

The MLK Commemorative Series planning committee invites Vanderbilt community members, including faculty, staff, postdocs and graduate and professional students, to submit proposals for teach-ins to take place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January 2019. Read More

The Rev. Beverly A. Asbury, who worked tirelessly as Vanderbilt's first chaplain to eliminate racial- and religious-based hatred and to promote inclusion and respect for others, has died. Read More

André Churchwell, MD, greeted those gathered in Light Hall for Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Lecture with a reminder that his father, Robert, gave the first such lecture at Vanderbilt 17 years ago. Read More

The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Justice and Democracy? Revolutionizing our American Myths.” Read More

In the final days of Barack Obama’s historic presidency, Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos will host a panel discussion reflecting on the 44th president’s legacy. “Beyond Obama: Race, Politics and America’s Future” is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 17. Read More

The Vanderbilt community celebrated the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of events Jan. 15-18, including lectures, service activities and participation in the Nashville Freedom March. See coverage on the Get Social website. Read More

Bryan Stevenson, a law professor at New York University and the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, will speak on Friday, Jan. 15, as part of the Vanderbilt Chancellor’s Lecture Series. Read More