UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State campus communities will honor the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with virtual events and activities to be held on MLK Day 2023, Monday, Jan. 16, and throughout the month.
Observed on the third Monday of January each year, MLK Day is a federal holiday in the United States marking King’s birthday. King was born on Jan. 15, 1929. Beginning in 2023, Penn State will observe MLK Day as an official University holiday.
Penn State University Park
The 48th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Banquet — 5–8 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 15, Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State's Forum on Black Affairs will host the banquet at the Bryce Jordan Center to celebrate a week of commemoration focused on the theme “A Testament of Hope – #FORTHECULTURE.” Join FOBA for a buffet dinner and cash bar, performances, recognition of the 2023 Forum of Black Affairs Humanitarian Award and student scholarship winners, and dancing. Tickets for the MLK Banquet can be purchased online in advance on a first-come, first-served basis.
Continue His Legacy: Day of Service — 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 16, Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center. The national Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a defining moment each year when Americans across the country step up to make communities more equitable and take action to create the “beloved community” of King’s dreams. Sign up to take part in a number of activities.
An Evening of Prose, Poetry and Performance Tribute — 6–8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17, Room 008, HUB-Robeson Center. Honor the words and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrate “A Testament of Hope – #FORTHECULTURE” with an evening of prose, poetry and performances that pay tribute to the long-standing fight for freedom, justice and racial equity.
March for PEACE — Noon, Wednesday, Jan. 18, Paul Robeson Cultural Center, HUB-Robeson Center. Participants will meet and depart from the Paul Robeson Cultural Center for a peaceful walk honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. A stop will be made at Old Main before the march continues to the MLK Jr. Plaza in downtown State College.
“Say His Name: Five Days for George Floyd” and other short films on racial violence — 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18, online. Join Penn State's Sustainability Institute for its “Building Better Bonds” film series, which will celebrate MLK Day with a screening of three short films that explore issues of violence against people of color in America. Following the online film screening, the institute will host a post-film online discussion panel featuring Penn State faculty and students. Free and open to all; pre-registration for “Say His Name” is required. Read more about the films here.
Let’s Chat about the Crown Act!: Cultural Control X Orlena Nwokah Blanchard — 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, Freeman Auditorium, HUB-Robeson Center. An evening of celebration and discussion of the Crown Act, legislation that would prohibit racial discrimination based on hairstyle, with guest speaker Orlena Nwokah Blanchard.
“Night Time is the Right Time” with Mwenso & The Shakes — 9 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center, free admission. Michael Mwenso and his collective of Black roots artists, The Shakes, are a unique troupe of global artists who present music that merges the highest form of entertainment and artistry while commanding a formidable timeline of jazz and blues expression through African and Afro American music. Immigrating from Sierra Leone, London, South Africa, Greenwich Village, Madagascar, France, Jamaica and Hawaii, the Shakes all now call Harlem their home.
Community Jam Session with Mwenso and The Shakes — 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 20, 3 Dots Downtown, 137 E. Beaver Ave, State College. Mwenso and The Shakes will celebrate partnerships fostered in the past three years through their participation in the center’s Fierce Urgency Festival. Anyone who wants to play in the jam session is welcome to bring an instrument and join the fun. The Center for the Performing Arts and 3 Dots Downtown co-present this free event.
A Choral Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — 4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21, Eisenhower Auditorium. The concert will feature choral music from African and African American musical idioms that emphasize the legacy and influence of the late champion of civil and human rights. The program will feature Penn State’s Essence of Joy, State College Area High School Master Singers, Bellefonte Area High School Concert Choir, Morgan State University Concert Choir, and special guest ensemble Mwenso and The Shakes. General admission tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Arts Ticket Center at 814-863-0255.
MLK Jr. Day of Service Events and Acts of Service Initiative sponsored by Penn State World Campus — Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 14–15, various locations. Penn State World Campus Student Affairs will host service-related events at locations across the country and encourage ongoing acts of service during a monthlong initiative. On-site events will be held on Jan. 14 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania; Silver Spring, Maryland; Manville, New Jersey; and Tampa, Florida; and on Jan. 15 in Philadelphia. Registration for World Campus’ Day of Service events is required by Jan. 10. Even if you’re not near one of these areas, all students can participate in acts of service. World Campus also will host a monthlong Acts of Service initiative from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, with a wide range of suggested service activities to choose from.
MLK Commemorative Posters display — Jan. 17-31, Engineering Library, Penn State University Libraries. On display will be more than 20 award-winning, student-designed posters from more than two decades of previous Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorations on the University Park campus. Posters may be viewed during the Engineering Library's operating hours in 325 Hammond Building. Please note: University Libraries locations will be closed on Jan. 16 in observance of the national MLK Day holiday.
Robert Samuels, “His Name Is George Floyd: One Man's Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice" — 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 9, Freeman Auditorium, HUB-Robeson Center. Author and award-winning Washington Post reporter Robert Samuels will discuss his book in a presentation and Q&A, free and open to the public with first-come, first-served seating. The event also will be livestreamed. This event is being sponsored by the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Penn State chapter of Minorities in Agricultural, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, Penn State Outreach and Online Education, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity. Read more here.
Penn State Abington
Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Awards — 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, Lubert Commons, Lares Building. This annual awards ceremony, sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, recognizes outstanding advocates for social justice at Penn State Abington. Students, faculty and staff who have supported and facilitated programs and initiatives that enhance opportunities for underrepresented populations have been nominated for the Drum Major for Justice Awards.
Penn State Altoona
“King’s Dream” — 6:30 p.m., Jan. 17, Slep Student Center. “King’s Dream” is a live performance and multimedia presentation in tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. Images and songs capture the spirit of the civil rights movement and tell the story of drama, courage and perseverance.
“Till” Movie Screening — 6 p.m., Jan. 23, Slep Student Center. “Till” is based on the true story of Mamie Till-Bradley, an educator and activist who pursued justice after the murder of her 14-year-old son Emmett in 1955.
Keynote Speaker Odell Bizell, "When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Meets Malcolm X" — 6 p.m., Feb. 1, Slep Student Center. Bizell is a nationally known author, blogger, speaker and entrepreneur known for diversity, equity and inclusion communications.
Penn State Beaver
MLK Day of Service and Keynote Speaker Jeff Young — 9-10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 16, Student Union Building Lodge at Penn State Beaver. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., Penn State students from the western campuses will be participating in community service throughout the region in a Day of Service, hosted by Penn State Beaver. Jeff Young, a motivational speaker known as "Backpack Jeff," will speak on the topic of “Taking the First Step in Faith.” Young is also a spoken word artist and conflict resolution specialist who travels around the East coast. The public is welcome and there is no cost to attend.
Penn State Behrend
These programs at Penn State Behrend are free and open to the public. All are sponsored by the Office of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs and the Student Activity Fee.
Martin Luther King Jr. march and events in downtown Erie — 11:15 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday, Jan. 16, meet in the Wintergarden of the Reed Union Building. Members of the Behrend community are invited to join the Association of Black Collegians to participate in Erie’s annual MLK march. Participants will meet at 11:15 a.m. and ride an EMTA bus to the march site.
Campus Family Brunch — 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18, McGarvey Commons. All members of the Behrend community are invited to the annual Campus Family Brunch. Food will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The multimedia presentation “Young Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement,” which showcases the history of student activism, will begin at noon.
Screening of the documentary film “At the River I Stand: The Climax of the Civil Rights Movement” — 4 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18, Reed Auditorium. The film explores how a strike by Memphis sanitation workers expanded into a moment of national activism, which spread until the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 14, 1968.
Penn State Berks
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Banquet — 6 p.m., Jan. 17, Multipurpose Room, Perkins Student Center. The event features a keynote address, student performances, awards recognition, and meal. The event is open to Penn State Berks students, staff, faculty, retirees and community members. Registration is now closed; however, for more information contact Alexa Hodge at aeh221@psu.edu.
Penn State Brandywine
Day of Service Volunteering — Monday, Jan. 16. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is now a holiday for all Penn State students, faculty and staff. We encourage you to treat your “day off” as a “day on” for your larger community. Visit mlkdayofservice.org to sign up for a volunteer opportunity near you.
“Till” Movie Screening and Discussion — 4 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17, Student Union 114-117. Attend a screening and discussion of the 2022 film “Till,” inspired by the true story of Mamie Till-Mobley’s vow to expose the racism behind the brutal lynching of her son Emmett in 1955 and her work to have those involved brought to justice. Pizza, popcorn and refreshments will be served.
Student Involvement and Resource Fair and Words of Healing Service Project — Noon, Wednesday, Jan. 18, Student Union 114-117 and Lion’s Den. Learn how to get involved on campus and access the resources available to help you succeed. While you’re there, take time to participate in a simple service project aimed at uniting our campus community. Craft two handmade bracelets featuring a word of healing — keep one for yourself and give one to someone else.
Town Hall: The REAL — 12:15 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, Student Union 114-117. Christine Brown, interim Rosenberg Director of the Center for Social Impact; Marinda Harrell-Levy, associate professor of human development and family studies; and Eliel Acosta-Solalinde, assistant director of student equity and inclusion programming, will share an update on the REAL (Restorative Justice, Equity, Anti-Racism League), a group of students, staff and faculty working together to create an anti-hate, anti-racism council at Penn State Brandywine. Lunch will be provided.
Penn State Dickinson Law
34th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration — 4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 15, The Meeting House on 1155 Walnut Bottom Road in Carlisle. Penn State Dickinson Law Dean and Donald J. Farage Professor of Law Danielle M. Conway will be the keynote speaker for the event.
34th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community-wide March and Commemoration — 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 16, Apfelbaum Family Courtroom and Auditorium and in the Commons. The event will include a panel discussion. More information TBA.
Penn State Fayette
MLK Day of Service and Keynote Speaker Jeff Young — 9-10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 16, Student Union Building Lodge at Penn State Beaver. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., Penn State students from the western campuses will be participating in community service throughout the region in a Day of Service, hosted by Penn State Beaver. Jeff Young, a motivational speaker known as "Backpack Jeff," will speak on the topic of “Taking the First Step in Faith.” Young is also a spoken word artist and conflict resolution specialist who travels around the East coast. The public is welcome and there is no cost to attend.
Penn State Harrisburg
Inaugural Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Banquet — 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The theme is “Champions for Social Justice, Equity, and Inclusion: A Tribute to Leaders and Their Leadership.” The program includes dinner, performances and entertainment, and a recognition of community leaders.
Theatre: “The Dream on Stage” — 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21, the Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre on campus. Penn State Harrisburg and PenOwl Productions Theatre Company will celebrate 25 years of the MLK Campus Play Series with a production honoring the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. All the plays in the series center on uplifting stories of the African American experience in the United States.
Penn State Hazleton
MLK Jr. Day Luncheon — Common hour, Thursday, Jan. 19, lower level, Butler Teaching and Learning Resource Center. The Penn State Hazleton campus community is invited to the Center for Multicultural Engagement for a special luncheon in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Canvases depicting various milestones in King’s life will be displayed.
Penn State Mont Alto
Martin Luther King Jr. Quote Exhibit — Week of Jan. 16, in the Wiestling Student Center.
“Martin Luther King Jr.’s History and Achievements” — Tuesday, Jan. 17, location and time TBD. Learn about King’s life and achievements via an interactive trivia format.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Open Dialogue — 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18, Wiestling Student Center. Join us for an open discussion about King’s life and aspirations, along with conversation about current equity, diversity and inclusivity in society as it pertains to race.
“Analyzing MLK’s spoken and written rhetoric” — 12:20–1:20 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, Wiestling Student Center. Join us as we discuss the power of King’s spoken and written works and how they helped the civil rights movement.
Penn State Scranton
MLK Day Celebration — 2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 13, Study Learning Center’s Sherbine Lounge. Keynote Speaker Minnijean Brown Trickery, Congressional Gold Medal recipient and member of the “Little Rock Nine,” a group of nine courageous children who risked their lives to attend Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Sept. 25, 1957, integrating a then-segregated public school system. This event is sponsored by Barnes & Noble and Prudential.
Penn State Shenango
MLK Day of Service — Thursday, Jan. 19. Students at Penn State Shenango will travel to off-campus locations to volunteer in the community at the Buhl Club and the Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County.
Penn State Wilkes-Barre
MLK Day of Service — Saturday, Jan. 14, St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen, downtown Wilkes-Barre. Students, faculty and staff are invited to volunteer their Saturday to the community to offer their help in service at the kitchen that day.
Civil Rights Kahoot! Game — Tuesday, Jan. 17. Students will have the opportunity to win a gift card in a fun round of the game Kahoot! consisting of trivia questions about Martin Luther King, Jr., his legacy, and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s as a whole.
"From Myth to Man: Martin Luther King, An Interpretation" — Friday, Jan. 20. Penn State Wilkes-Barre will be hosting a one-man original play of monologues by Ira Knight from North Carolina, which will focus on the humanization of the civil rights leader and icon, and include a question-and-answer panel discussion with the audience afterward.
Penn State York
Penn State York Martin Luther King Day Jr. Day of Service — Noon–1 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, Precision Custom Components Community Room, Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center. To honor King’s life and legacy, Penn State York has planned a day of service open to students, faculty and staff. Members of the campus community will assemble 240 hygiene kits for the YWCA of York to distribute. This event is sponsored by the Student Government Association and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
Pennsylvania College of Technology
For more information about these Penn College events, contact Meghan Delsite Coleman, assistant director of student engagement, at mrd18@pct.edu.
Peace Walk — Noon–1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 16, meet at Third and Market streets in Williamsport. Penn College will join other community organizations for a Peace Walk.
Dinner and Discussion: Poverty Simulation — 5:30–7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, Thompson Professional Development Center on campus. Penn College and the Central PA Food Bank will partner for a dinner with a poverty simulation. The simulation will help attendees experience what a “day in the life” might be like for someone experiencing life in poverty. This is a guided simulation with activities and smaller discussions.
Unity Day Penn College basketball game with Gallaudet University — 5-9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 20, Bardo Gymnasium. The event will include inclusive activities, food and giveaways.