Join the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity and the Division of Academic and Student Affairs for NC State’s 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration. The theme of this year’s celebration is “The Power of Voice.”

Events

• Benjamin Jealous, civil and human rights leader, former NAACP president, venture capitalist and author, “The Forgotten Origins and Consequences of Race in America,” January 16, 2018 from 3:00-5:00 p.m., Stewart Theatre

Renowned activist, civil rights leader and community organizer Benjamin Jealous outlines what it will take to secure true equality for all Americans and to empower the next generation to lead toward a better future.

During his dynamic and rousing speeches, Jealous exposes the ways in which our country’s history of racial inequality continues, offering a powerful and empowering narrative that encourages individuals to contribute to making lasting change. Drawing from real-life stories from his efforts and the struggles of others, he rallies audiences to continue working for progress.

• Writing Workshop with Darius Simpson, January 17, 2018 from 4:00-5:30 p.m., Talley Student Union, Room 4280

• Performance with Darius Simpson, January 17, 2018 from 7:00-8:30 p.m., Talley Student Union, Currituck-Hatteras Ballroom

Darius Simpson is a writer, spoken word artist, slam poetry champion and outspoken social justice activist. In 2015, he made a name for himself as president of the CUPSI (College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational) award-winning Poetry Society at Eastern Michigan University. He was also featured in the film Finding the Gold Within, a documentary that chronicles the challenges faced by six African American young men through their first years of college.

• Staff Senate Lunch and Learn, January 17, 2018 from 12:00-1:00 p.m., McKimmon Center

The Staff Senate Diversity Committee invites all staff to a panel discussion on “Activism: What is Your Passion?” that will explore the concepts and concerns of activism. Come take part in this educational dialogue.

• Day of Service, January 15, 2018 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Talley Student Union

Students will bring meals to local food pantries, winter blankets for homeless shelters and children’s organizations and educational tools for early childhood education programs. (This student activity is now full.)

“As we prepare for this year’s commemoration, we do so with a keen awareness of the upcoming 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s devastating assassination on April 4, 1968. Although our country was founded upon spoken principles to protect the rights of its citizens, we continue to see the rights of our most vulnerable communities devalued and disregarded. Too many times, their voices are silenced, especially when they challenge inequitable systems and structures designed to benefit those with wealth, power and influence. For this year’s commemoration, we want to honor the voices of those who have been ‘silenced’ and teach members of our campus community how to effectively use their voices to speak out against injustice and dismantle inequitable practices that continue to marginalize American citizens every day,” stated Reggie Barnes, senior director for campus community centers and co-chair of the 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration.

Website

• For full details about the week, see go.ncsu.edu/MLK.