FSU, FAMU to hold events in honor of civil rights pillar Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

As people across the nation get ready to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in unison on Jan. 20 for MLK Day, Florida State and Florida A&M universities are also honoring the civil rights icon.

While FSU will have its 37th annual MLK Week of events on campus – including a lecture series with comedian and writer Ziwe Fumudoh – FAMU will hold its annual MLK Convocation Friday with Leon County School Board member Darryl Jones as the keynote speaker.

FSU’s eventful week begins Tuesday to end Jan. 25, and FAMU’s convocation will take place at 10:10 a.m. Friday in the university’s Lee Hall Auditorium.

Jones – a Clearwater, Florida native and a FAMU alumnus – is also deputy director of the Office of Economic Vitality. He was elected to the Leon County School Board in 2018 and became the second African American man to serve as chair of the group in 2021.

“His reflections on Dr. King’s enduring legacy will deeply inspire and resonate with our entire campus community,” FAMU interim President Timothy Beard said of Jones in a prepared statement.

Leon school board member Darryl Jones celebrates the students of R. Frank Nims Middle School, Pineview Elementary School, and Bond Elementary for their high achievement in last year’s school grade Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.

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Friday’s convocation at FAMU is open to the public and will allow participants to reflect on the life of King, who was assassinated in 1968 but is remembered as one of the most commemorated civil rights leaders in the mid 1950s through his nonviolent acts for social change.

MLK Day, a federal holiday, is observed on the third Monday of the month of January to celebrate King – just five days after his birthday.

FSU Director of Student Engagement Felicia Williams.

Besides FAMU’s convocation, FSU’s events will honor the legendary leader this year with the theme “United We Stand,” which embodies the university’s commitment to “unity and positive change,” according to FSU Director of Student Engagement Felicia Williams.

“We are honored to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Florida State and look forward to a week of inspiring events, thought-provoking discussions and community engagement as we come together to honor his legacy and work towards a brighter future for all,” Williams said in a university release.

Here are the events being held during FSU’s MLK week this year, which are all free and open to the public.

MLK Opening Ceremony and Golden Torch Lecture Series

  • Date and time: Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 5:30 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.)

  • Location: 222 S. Copeland St. (Ruby Diamond Concert Hall)

  • Want to go? The ceremony will feature performances by the FSU Gospel Choir and Dance Ensemble, followed by a lecture series at 6 p.m. with keynote speaker Ziwe Fumudoh. The comedian and author has a viral show on Showtime called Ziwe, and she is known for her satirical commentary on politics and race relations.

“Kemba” Film Screening and Panel Discussion

  • Date and time: Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 5 p.m. (doors open at 4 p.m.)

  • Location: 942 Learning Way (Askew Student Life Center)

  • Want to go? The 2024 drama film is based on the true story of panelist member Kemba Smith Pradia, a criminal justice reform advocate. Following the screening, Pradia will lead a discussion about the criminal justice system. Other panelists include FSU College of Law Assistant Dean Glenda Thornton and members of the FSU chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Innocence Project of Florida and FSU Counseling and Psychological Services.

Block Party

  • Date and time: Thursday, Jan. 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

  • Location: 75 N. Woodward Ave. (Student Union Green)

  • Want to go? The evening block party will be filled with food, music and activities that celebrate unity and the legacy of King.

Performing Arts Showcase

  • Date and time: Thursday, Jan. 23 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Location: 83 N. Woodward Ave. (Moore Auditorium)

  • Want to go? Following the block party, FSU’s student organizations as well as community organizations will give performances during a performing arts showcase.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said a “massive action program” will cost the nation to give blacks the same economic opportunity as the white man in his speech during Vanderbilt University’s Impact symposium at Memorial Gym on April 7, 1967.

‘Memories of a Living King’ hosted by FSU’s Civil Rights Institute

  • Date and time: Saturday, Jan. 25, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Location: 1030 W. Tennessee St. (FSU Alumni Center)

  • Want to go? FSU’s Civil Rights Institute will host its second annual MLK celebration “Memories of A Living King” by honoring the civil rights leader through a blend of art, performance and community engagement.

For more information

Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on X: @tarahjean_.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU, FAMU will honor Martin Luther King Jr. with events, convocation

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