Remembered on this holiday and throughout the year, Northern Arizona University honors the life and civil rights work of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 20. The university is officially closed for the holiday, but the campus will be alive with a special celebration remembering Martin Luther King Jr.’s peaceful activism and leadership.
The day starts at 9 a.m. for the Community Breakfast with keynote speaker Griot B. His stories, told through rap, educate all about people of color’s histories. He has two albums, OURstory and Historia, which are the first of their kind to share about black and Latinx history. Admission is free, but nonperishable food donations for Louie’s Cupboard are encouraged.
Following his speech, there is a march, a variety of opportunities for community service and a workshop with Griot B. The full day’s events follow.
Community Breakfast: 9-11 a.m., du Bois Ballroom
Commemorative Poster-Making: 11-11:45 a.m., du Bois Ballroom
Commemorative March: Noon-1 p.m., du Bois Ballroom to IMQ Center
Community Service: 1-3 p.m.
- Flagstaff Family Food Center
- NAU Campus Clean Up
- Green Ambassadors
Griot B Workshop: 3:30-4:30 p.m., IMQ Center
In addition to the MLK Day Celebration, the Black Student Union has put together events spanning two weeks to commemorate the life and mission of Rev. King. Film screenings and discussions are scheduled to celebrate and inform the Lumberjack community about MLK and the Civil Rights movement starting on Jan. 16.
The full schedule of events follows:
Thursday, Jan. 16
- Diversity Dialogue: Honorary Tribute to the Men and Women of the Civil Rights Movement
- 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., IMQ Center
Friday, Jan. 17
- Film Screening and Q&A: “Selma”
- 7-9:30 p.m., IMQ Center
Monday, Jan. 20
- MLK Day Celebration
- 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., du Bois Ballroom
Wednesday, Jan. 22
- Man vs. Myth-MLK Debate
- 5:30-7:30 p.m., IMQ Center
Thursday, Jan. 23
- MLK: The Philosophy Behind the Dream
- 6:30-8:30 p.m., IMQ Center
Tuesday, Jan. 28
- Film Screening and Q&A: “Best of Enemies”
- 6-9:30 p.m., IMQ Center