2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration
2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration
Martin Luther King, Jr., ’48 developed his approach to nonviolent social change while a student at Morehouse under the tutelage of intellectual leaders who would influence his advocacy and activism throughout his life, establishing Morehouse as one of the prominent intellectual and activist sites of the modern Civil Rights Movement. The Annual Morehouse College Martin Luther King Commemoration is a multicultural experience designed to educate the world on his historical and contemporary impact, engage the global community on issues of equity, and celebrate his legacy.
Watch Virtual Events
At home or in person, join us as we honor the legacy of Dr. King.
Schedule of Events
This year’s commemoration features a number of talks, film screenings, and community service opportunities. View the full schedule.
Bonner Office of Community Service’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Monday, Jan. 17, 8 a.m.
The Morehouse community will partake in several service activities throughout the metro Atlanta area.
Morehouse College Human Rights Film Fest Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Monday, Jan. 17-Sunday, Jan. 23
Screening: “No Time to Waste: The Urgent Mission of Betty Reid Soskin”
“No Time to Waste” celebrates legendary 100-year-old park ranger Betty Reid Soskin’s inspiring life, work, and urgent mission to restore critical missing chapters of America’s story.
View the virtual screenings at watch.eventive.org.
Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday Virtual Vesper Hour
Sunday, Jan. 23, 5:30 p.m.
Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Starsky D. Wilson, president and CEO, Children’s Defense Fund
Topic: Social Justice Sunday
Held weekly, Vesper Hour is reflective, creative and enlightening student-centered and student-led worship experiences, open to the Atlanta University Center Consortium and wider Atlanta community. Our Vesper Hour is intentionally intimate worship experiences that minister to the total person—mind, body and spirit— through diverse expressions such as preaching, creative arts, drama, music and dialogue.
Martin Luther King Jr. Crown Forum
Thursday, Jan. 20, 11 a.m.
Speaker: Plemon T. El-Amin
Imam Emeritus, Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam
Topic: “Neighbors in the Beloved Community: What is an American Muslim?”
Held weekly, Vesper Hour is reflective, creative, and enlightening student-centered and student-led worship experiences, open to the Atlanta University Center Consortium and the wider Atlanta community. Our Vesper Hour is intentionally intimate worship experiences that minister to the total person—mind, body, and spirit—through diverse expressions such as preaching.
Martin Luther King Jr. and Morehouse College
Thursday, Jan. 27, 6 p.m.
Speakers: Former Attorney General Eric Holder, Dr. Carol Anderson, Rev. James Woodall, Dr. David Wall Rice
Topic: “Building the Beloved Community: The Struggle for Justice in Our Time”
Crown Forum is one of Morehouse’s most iconic events, featuring thought leaders from every area of intellectual discovery engaging in an intense discussion of the seminal issues of our time.
Book talk
Sunday, Jan. 30, 6 p.m.
Topic: Reclaiming the Great World House: The Global Vision of Martin Luther King Jr.
Join the volume editors, Dr. Vicki Crawford, director, Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection and professor of Africana studies, and Dr. Lewis
V. Baldwin, professor emeritus of religious studies, Vanderbilt University as they discuss themes from their book with chapter authors: Dr. Crystal de Gregory, research, MTSU Center for Historic Preservation; Dr. Hak Joon Lee, Lewis B. Smedes Professor of Christian Ethics, Fuller Theological Seminary, Dr. Larry Rivers, professor of history, State University of West Georgia
Martin Luther King Jr. and Morehouse College
King at Morehouse
Martin Luther King, Jr. began his intellectual exploration in non-violent social change in earnest while a student at Morehouse. He would later become a bachelor’s degree graduate, a Morehouse professor, a college trustee, and an honorary degree recipient. After his death, his casket was escorted by thousands on a march to the Morehouse campus, where a public memorial was held.
Martin Luther King Jr. Collection
The Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration is coordinated by the Morehouse College Office of the Martin Luther King Jr. Collection, which oversees the conservation and preservation of a 10,000 item collection of King materials of personal and historical significance and promotes teaching, research, and scholarship, programming, and community outreach initiatives that highlight the teachings and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
