MLK Commemorative Event

This year, Vanderbilt University’s MLK Day Commemorative Series brought powerful voices of the past, present and future together to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Through a blend of inspiration and action, the campus community celebrated not just King’s memory, but the ongoing work of building leadership and opportunity for all. Read More

Author, civil engineer and Nashville native Cheryl McKissack Daniel will headline the Vanderbilt University Martin Luther King Jr. Day Speaker Event on Thursday, Jan. 15, kicking off the university’s 2026 MLK Commemorative Event Series. Read More

Vanderbilt University celebrated the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of events on and off campus. These commemorations brought together faculty, staff, students and members of the Nashville community, fostering reflection, dialogue and action in honor of King’s lasting impact. Read More

Award-winning filmmakers Karen Hayes and Pamela Tom will speak at Vanderbilt University’s 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration. The kickoff event is scheduled for 5 to 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15, in Sarratt Cinema. Hayes and Tom will discuss their new film, A Better Way: James Lawson, Architect of Nonviolence, insights into the filmmaking process, their time with the Rev. James Lawson, Lawson’s connections with Vanderbilt and Nashville, and the impact of his work in the broader Civil Rights Movement. Read More