MLK Week’s celebrations include keynote address by Nontombi Naomi Tutu, Desmond Tutu’s daughter
“True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
Salve Regina will celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. through its annual MLK Week, and 2024 offers an exciting lineup of events that will run this year from Thursday, Jan 25, to Wednesday, Jan 31.
Among the robust schedule of events is the MLK Week keynote address with Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu, daughter of the renowned Archbishop Desmond Tutu who helped end apartheid in South Africa.
Many events, including the keynote, are open to both the public and the Salve Regina community.
Mercy and Justice Shall Meet with Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu
Wednesday, Jan. 31. at 4 p.m.
Bazarsky Lecture Hall, O’Hare Academic Building
The challenges of growing up Black and female in apartheid South Africa have been the foundation of Reverend Tutu’s life. These experiences taught her that the entire whole human family loses when it accepts situations of oppression; the teaching and preaching of hate and division injure everyone.
In this keynote lecture, Reverend Tutu will draw upon the work of Martin Luther King Jr., Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the Nobel Women’s Initiative to reflect on the ways in which truth-telling, reconciliation and nonviolence are central to make possible the work of peace-building today.
Reverend Naomi Tutu.
Dr. Yvan Ilunga, assistant professor and associate graduate program director of political science and international relations at Salve and McAuley Scholar within the Mercy Interdisciplinary Faculty Collaborative on Immigration, will facilitate a Q&A with Reverend Tutu following her address.
For the full schedule of MLK Week 2024, and to register for events, visit MLK Week’s webpage.
Check out some of the other highlights for the week below.
MLK Week highlighted events
IRC Community Read and Discussion: “My Life, My Love, My Legacy” by Coretta Scott King
Thursday, Jan. 25 at 4 p.m.
DiStefano Lecture Hall, Antone Academic Center
Join the Inclusive Reading Club in reading “My Life, My Love, My Legacy” by Coretta Scott King for the annual MLK Week Community Read. Discussion facilitated by Rose Albert, associate director of the Office of Multicultural Programs.
MLK University Day of Service
Friday, Jan. 26 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ochre Court
This University Day of Service for MLK Week partners with The Hunger Outreach Program. Faculty, staff, students, and community are invited to help assemble dried non-perishable meals to be distributed to the food insecure through local non-profits. The goal is to package 3,500 meals!
Film Screening and Dialogue: “Selma”
Saturday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.
O’Hare Academic Center, Room 260
Join the Salve Regina community for a screening of “Selma.” Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 legally desegregated the South, discrimination was still rampant and in 1965, and an Alabama city became the battleground in the fight for suffrage. Despite violent opposition, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. pressed forward on an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, and their efforts culminated with President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The film screening will be followed by a dialogue facilitated by student leaders.
Spoken Word: “Bending the Arc of the Universe toward Justice”
Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.
Gerety Hall, Room 102
Join the Office of Multicultural Programs 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. Interested in performing, reach out to Sami Nassim, assistant vice president of the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention.
To register and find out more information on all MLK Week events, please go here.
