Honoring the Dream and Vision
NOTE: If you missed the livestream of the commemoration event on Thursday, Jan. 19, the recording is now available at links for students, faculty and staff in the "Georgia State 2023 Signature Events" section of this page. Scroll down to view it.
Each year Georgia State University honors The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and work with numerous activities in January. Campus events feature lectures, discussions, celebration, and community service opportunities that reflect his dream and vision for civil rights and social justice.
January 16, 2023, marks the 37th anniversary of the first observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a U.S. federal holiday.
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion web team in partnership with Cultures, Communities & Inclusion, the Multicultural Center, the Office of Civic Engagement, the Office of Black Student Achievement and academic units of Georgia State have established this page to provide a more central location for events across the university's different colleges, schools, departments and other units, along with highlighted external events in the communities Georgia State's campuses call home.
GSU & You: Share Your Events for MLK '23
Many of the events here are sponsored by Student Engagement and Cultures, Communities and Inclusion - but we want to offer our Georgia State community the opportunity to share, including our academic units.
If your unit or department has an MLK event, we'd love to share it! Make sure to click here for our submission form!
Share for Our Community Calendar Section this MLK '23
If you are a member of a non-profit community organization or are a representative of a county/city government in the metropolitan Atlanta area with an event you'd like to share for our community calendar at the bottom of the page, please let us know! Contact the DEI communications team at [email protected] with your details.
#GSUMLK23
Georgia State 2023 Signature Events
PROMOTIONAL TABLE
Monday, January 9, 2023, at 12:30 p.m.
Student Center East, First floor LobbyHosted by the Multicultural Center. Join us for beverages, snacks, and helpful tips. All students, faculty, and staff are welcome. For more information, contact 404-413-1584 or go to multicultural.gsu.edu.
40th ANNUAL MLK DAY OF SERVICE: A DAY ON, NOT A DAY OFF
Monday, January 16, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
GSU Student Center, 55 Gilmer Street, Atlanta, GeorgiaThe Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is GSU's largest annual volunteer event that brings students together to do community service!
The MLK Day of Service event honors Dr. King's legacy of service by working with the community and building unity and relationships across campuses and communities around the world. It is a powerful opportunity to serve in our community and learn about the different kinds of service you can participate in throughout the year.IT WAS ALL A DREAM: MLK VISION BOARD PARTY
Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.
Student Center East BallroomIn honor of the 2023 MLK Commemoration at Georgia State University, join us for “It Was All a Dream: Vision Board Party”, an afternoon of culture, community, and inclusion in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr! We invite GSU community members to create their own vision board reflecting what they dream for their future. Inspired by Dr. King's ideals for beloved community, this event will also serve as our signature event, "The American-International Student mixer", that bridges cultures and cultivates an inclusive community at Georgia State University.
MLK ON LEADERSHIP: A LUNCH & LEARN EXPERIENCE
Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at 11:30 a.m.
Dahlberg Hall, Veterans Memorial Hall, 30 Courtland Avenue, Atlanta, GeorgiaExperience a creative mix of music, art, lunch, and a panel discussion focused on Dr. King's leadership lessons for today's student leaders.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: WOMEN OF COLOR
Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.
Student Center East- 206Are you a Woman of Color? LGBTQ? Could you benefit from a mentor or support network at GSU? The Community Connections Program (C2) is a unique opportunity designed for YOU to feel a sense of belonging and help you be successful from college to career. Engage in personal growth, leadership development, career readiness and more.
2023 MLK COMMEMORATION WITH KEYNOTE BY India.Arie
Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 4 p.m.
Student Center East BallroomGrammy Award-winning and groundbreaking musician India.Arie, who is also an artist-in-residence at Georgia State's Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII), will deliver the keynote address at Georgia State's 2023 MLK Commemoration event.
Recording Availability
If you were not able to watch live, a recording is now available for students, faculty and staff. You will use your campus ID and password to log in:
2023 SUMMIT ON CULTURE
Friday, January 20, 2023, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Student Center EastThe Georgia State University Counseling Center invites you to join us for our annual Summit on Culture taking place on Friday, January 2023. The summit provides training and networking opportunities for mental health professionals, students, and the community. Psychologist, Healer, scholar-activist, and spacemaker, Dr. Della Mosley will conduct a CE seminar on Radical Healing and Dr. Ryan Warner will be conducting a seminar on Supporting Black Men's Mental Health: Using a Culturally Responsive, Trauma-Informed Approach. Attendance is free.
POP TALKS
Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 12:15 p.m.
Student Center East, 206Pop in on Wednesday (bi-weekly) for the Multicultural Center's weekly discussions about pop culture, national/global news, and/or anything related to diversity and inclusion, in a peer-facilitated dialogue series to engage in critical thinking, explore diverse identities, and more.
CULTURES, COMMUNITIES & INCLUSION NIGHT AT THE GEORGIA STATE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL GAME
Thursday, Jan. 26, 6 p.m.
Georgia State Convocation Center
455 Capitol Ave SE, Atlanta GAJoin Cultures, Communities and Inclusion for an evening of fun as we cheer on and support our Women's Basketball Team! During this conference game, our Panthers will be taking on Appalachian State.
2023 SOCIAL JUSTICE SUMMIT: NOT ALL SUPERHEROES WEAR CAPES
Thursday, February 2/3, 2023, at 4 p.m.
Student Center EastJoin the Multicultural Center, Residence Hall Association and Leadership Programs for this 2-day action packed experience!
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION IN FEBRUARY
As the MLK Commemoration month moves on into February, we continue the conversation in February across our campuses during Black History Month events. Activities will be listed on the BHM signature heritage month page soon, but here are a few of interest:
FEBRUARY 8: 2023 GROUNDBREAKER LECTURE WITH JELANI COBB
State Ballroom, Student Center East, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
This year's lecture -- returning to an in-person event for the first time since 2020 -- features Jelani Cobb, Dean of the Columbia Journalism School, and prolific writer for The New Yorker and other publications. The lecture series honors Barbara Pace Hunt, Iris Mae Welch and Myra Payne Elliott, who bravely sued for their right to attend the then-segregated Georgia State. Learn more and register by clicking here.
FEBRUARY 20-24: THE MARIO A.J. BENNEKIN SYMPOSIUM
Perimeter College
This year's symposium features Black women's and labor history scholar Eshe Sherley as the keynote speaker in an impactful week-long conference celebrating its third year. The Bennekin Black History Symposium is named for Mario Bennekin, a beloved history professor at Perimeter who taught for 20 years before passing in 2019 when he chaired the History and Political Science department. Bennekin was instrumental in bringing the African-American Studies, now Africana Studies, curriculum to Perimeter. Learn more here.
FEBRUARY 22: THE BENJAMIN E. MAYS LECTURE WITH NA'ILAH SUAD NASIR
Virtual, 6:30 p.m.
The 2023 Benjamin E. Mays Lecture of the Alzono A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence will be held virtually at 6:30 p.m. on February 22, featuring Dr. Na'ilah Suad Nasir, president of the Spencer Foundation. More information will be posted at this link at the College of Education and Human Development soon.
In the Community
We're working to update this page with more events, and your help is also appreciated - If you have suggestions for other events happening around the metro Atlanta area commemorating Dr. King, please let us know by clicking here.
In the meantime, mark your calendar for the following events from The King Center just a few blocks up the street from Georgia State.
Theme: It Starts with Me: Cultivating a Beloved Community Mindset
For all King Center Event Listings, visit https://thekingcenter.org/king-holiday-2023/
- PRESS CONFERENCE - Thursday, Jan. 5th
- NV365 TRAINING - Monday, Jan. 9th – Tuesday, Jan. 10th
- KICKOFF RECEPTION - Tuesday, Jan. 10th
- CHILDREN’S BOOK READING - Wednesday, Jan. 11th
- BELOVED COMMUNITY GLOBAL SUMMIT/ YOUTH SUMMIT - Thursday, Jan. 12th – Friday, Jan. 13th
- TEACH-IN - Friday, Jan. 13th
- BELOVED COMMUNITY AWARDS - Saturday, Jan. 14th
- BELOVED COMMUNITY COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE - Monday, Jan. 16th
- DAY OF SERVICE - Monday, Jan. 16th
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2 to 6 p.m.: Keep It 100: Protecting the Dreams of Our Youth, sponsored by the Emerging 100 of Atlanta, The B.E.S.T. Academy, 1190 Northwest Drive NW, Atlanta GA 30318. This free program aimed at middle and high-school aged youth is focused on combatting youth violence for at-risk children of color, and includes prominent speakers, special guests and a peace vigil. Activities include live entertainment, basketball/gaming, free haircuts and a multi-part service project including packaging of meals, school supplies and prenatal care items for groups in need. Registration is required - click here for the registration page and more information. The registration deadline is 5 p.m. on 1/13.
Sunday, Jan. 15, 5 p.m.: The HBCU Culture Homecoming Fest and Battle of the Bands MLK Weekend Edition, State Farm Arena, 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA. Visit https://www.statefarmarena.com/events/detail/hbcu-homecoming-fest-battle-of-the-bands for more information.
Monday, Jan. 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2023 at the Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30305. Join the Atlanta History Center on Monday, January 16th to commemorate the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. See where you fit in the Beloved Community and enjoy civil rights-themed trivia, crafts, choir performances, Freedom Rider simulations on an authentic 1952 Greyhound bus, panel discussions, and more, including free access to the center's exhibitions. Registration is encouraged - visit https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/event/martin-luther-king-jr-day-2023/.
Monday, Jan. 16, 8:30 a.m.: Acworth Martin Luther King Day Celebration and Day of Service, starting at the Roberts School Community and Education Center (4681 School St, Acworth, GA 30101), with a Unity Walk starting at 9:15 a.m. to the Acworth Community Center (4361 Cherokee St, Acworth, GA 30101). Visit https://www.acworth.org/departments/parks_recreation_and_community_resource_department/rec_events.php for more information.
Monday, Jan. 16, 10 a.m. to noon: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration - "Keeping the Dream Alive: Continuing the Journey." Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta GA 30060. The Cobb County Branch of the NAACP together with the Cobb County Government are hosting the county's annual celebration honoring Dr. King. The event is free and open to the public. The celebration features entertainment, dramatic readings, dance, musical performances, and the annual presentation of the “Living the Dream” award to a community member who demonstrates the ideals Dr. King exemplified. For more information, call the NAACP Cobb County branch at 770-425-5757.
Monday, Jan. 16, 11 a.m.: DeKalb County NAACP Branch - Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade, starting at 5455 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, and ending at Martin Luther King, Jr. High School, 3991 Snapfinger Road, Lithonia. Visit https://naacpdekalb.org/.
Monday, Jan. 16, starting at 8 a.m.: MLK Day 5K Run starting at the First Baptist Church of Doraville, 5935 New Peachtree Road, Doraville, GA 30093 (adjacent to the Doraville MARTA station). Join this gathering of diverse groups in the beloved community to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with proceeds going to community organizations. Learn more at https://mlkday5k.com/.
Jan. 14-16: Decatur MLK Service Project. Decatur’s MLK, Jr. Service project seeks to harness community volunteers to assist long-time City of Decatur residents/seniors homeowners to safely and comfortably remain in their homes by providing house maintenance and repair. Visit https://www.mlkserviceproject.com/ for more information.
Monday, Jan. 16: City of Dunwoody Day of Service. The city will hold its 7th annual day of service, with a wide range of project sites. For more information about the projects, reporting times and sites, and registration, visit https://www.dunwoodyga.gov/community/volunteer-mlk-jr-day.
Monday, Jan. 16, 1 p.m.: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art & Film Celebration, City Springs, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. This family-friendly event features interactive art projects and a film designed to celebrate, educate and share the teachings of Dr. King. Admission is free and reservations are encouraged; visit https://citysprings.com/mlk for more information.
Monday, Jan. 16, starting at noon: Annual MLK Day Parade of the United Ebony Society, Inc., of Gwinnett County, starting at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. The parade ends at Gwinnett Central High School (564 West Crogan St., Lawrenceville, GA 30046) with an indoor celebration at 2 p.m. Visit https://unitedebonysociety.org/dr-martin-luther-king-parade/ for more information.
Sunday, Jan. 15, 3 p.m. (virtual): Newton County’s 38th annual Commemorative Celebration of the Life and Legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event will include music, song, and words of inspiration and will recognize adults, youth and organizations who contribute to advancing peace and unity in the Newton County community. The event will be livestreamed on Facebook Live and YouTube; visit https://www.facebook.com/newtonmlkcelebration/ for more information.