Join Salve Regina’s weeklong celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Love is the greatest force in the universe. It is the heartbeat of the moral cosmos.”
–Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Salve Regina will once again celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through MLK Week 2023, an annual lineup of events that will run from Sunday, Jan. 22, to Friday, Jan. 27.
“The life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. serves as a prophetic witness to our Salve community,” said Dr. Theresa Ladrigan-Whelpley, vice president for mission integration. “He calls us to bear witness to the truth of our human dignity and that of our neighbor, to challenge bias in ourselves and in our institutions and to act with mercy and seek restorative justice.”
All of these opportunities will be open to University community members. Registration and further descriptions of each event can be found on MLK Week’s official web page here.
Film Screening and Dialogue
Sunday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m.
O’Hare Academic Building, Room 260
Join the Salve Regina community for a screening of “Harriet” to kick off MLK Week. The film tells the story of heroic abolitionist Harrier Tubman from her escape from slavery through the dangerous missions she led to liberate hundreds of slaves through the Underground Railroad. The film screening will be followed by a dialogue facilitated by student leaders.
Spoken Word: Bending the Arc of the Universe Toward Justice
Monday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m.
Gerety Hall, Room 102
Join the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention for a lively spoken word and song event with contributions from students, faculty and staff, advancing the work of justice and mercy and calling for social action and transformation in the spirit and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. If anyone would like to perform at this event, please sign up here.
Dr. Mary Frances Berry
Keynote Speaker: A Conversation with Dr. Mary Frances Berry
Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 4 p.m.
O’Hare Academic Building, Bazarsky Lecture Hall
For more than four decades, Dr. Mary Frances Berry has been one of the most visible and respected activists in the cause of civil rights, gender equality and social justice. Serving as chairperson of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, Dr. Berry led the charge for equal rights and liberties for all Americans over the course of four presidential administrations.
Community Conversation: Developing Intercultural Competence
Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 3 p.m.
O’Hare Academic Building, Bazarsky Lecture Hall
Dr. Sami Nassim, assistant vice president for diversity initiatives and retention, and other colleagues will host a dialogue with the University community on the work and commitment of developing intercultural competence. Resources will be available for faculty, staff and students to grow in their understanding and engagement across differences.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Candlelight Peace Vigil
Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 4:45 p.m.
Our Lady of Mercy Chapel
This vigil honors the work of Martin Luther King, Jr. and will feature songs and readings for peace and justice. All present will be invited to light a candle as a pledge for peace. The vigil will directly follow the campus-wide community conversation in O’Hare Academic Building. All are welcome, and this event is open to the public.
Inclusive Reading Club: MLK Week’s Community Read
Thursday, Jan. 26, at 4 p.m.
Antone Academic Center, DiStefano Lecture Hall
Join the Inclusive Reading Club in reading “All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, A Black Family Keepsake” by Tiya Miles for the MLK Week Community Read. Copies of the book are available, while supplies last, at the Misto Gatehouse, the McKillop Library’s circulation department or through the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention. Dr. Ikea Johnson, assistant professor of English, Communications and Media will be facilitating the dialogue.
University Day of Service
On-campus day of service with The Outreach Program. Faculty, staff, and students are invited to help assemble dried non-perishable meals to be distributed to the food insecure through local nonprofits. The goal is to package 3,500 meals. Volunteers can register in shifts from 8-10 a.m., 10-11 a.m., 11 a.m – Noon, noon – 1 p.m. and 1-2 p.m.
