Dickinson Celebrates MLK Day & Inaugural Social Justice Week

The MLK marker in front of Allison Hall

A plaque on campus, in front of Allison Hall, commemorates Dr. King's April 11, 1961, visit, with a quote from the gathering.

Rescheduled slate of events kicks off on January 21 and extends through the week

Because campus was closed due to the snow on Monday, Jan. 20, many of Dickinson's MLK-related events have been rescheduled. A full revised schedule is available online.

As we embark on a new semester, Dickinson invites the community to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and deepen our commitment to social justice. This year, we are proud to celebrate MLK Day followed by our inaugural Social Justice Week, running through Friday, Jan. 24.

"By celebrating Dr. King's contributions, Dickinson reaffirms its commitment to creating a campus where everyone feels valued and respected," says Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Tony Boston. "This isn't just about looking back; it's about recognizing the ongoing work needed to achieve true social justice. It's a call to action for all of us to contribute to positive change, both within our community and beyond."

The theme for this week of reflection and action is “Journey Toward Justice,” and we hope you’ll join us for an inspiring series of events and activities that celebrate Dr. King’s enduring legacy and highlight the ongoing work toward equity and justice in our community and beyond. 

Share Your Interests

To ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate in the week’s events, we invite you to complete the MLK Day/Social Justice Week Interest Survey. This survey will give you a preview of the planned activities and allow you to express your interest in specific events.

Explore “Journey Toward Justice” Events & Resources

We also encourage you to explore our Journey Toward Justice events and resources site. This site features a comprehensive schedule of activities and events for the week, along with a curated collection of educational resources to extend your learning beyond the events themselves. 

MLK Library Resource Guide

Our MLK Library Resource Guide offers an engaging selection of materials related to Dr. King and the civil rights movement. These resources are available through the library and include thought-provoking works such as Kendrick Lamar’s song “Prayer” and Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb.” Both of these works will be the focus of Thursday’s Community RAP: Rhythm & Poetry event, a creative discussion that replaces the traditional book discussion. 

"King contended that 'the arc of the moral universe is long but bends toward justice,'" Boston adds. "I assert that this movement toward justice doesn’t happen by chance. Rather, it requires conscious and continuous efforts from everyday people like us. I encourage all members of our community to actively participate in the events honoring King and his legacy of advocacy and social justice. Get involved, engage in meaningful conversations and take action to promote equality and justice at Dickinson." 

TAKE THE NEXT STEPS

Published January 16, 2025