The 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration honors the legacy of Dr. King and the impact he has made on those who carry the torch for humanity. The theme of the Commemoration is “Responsibility” and is based on the quote: “Ultimately individual responsibility lies not in the external situation but in the internal response.” The Commemoration will occur on Monday, January 20, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. in Graham Chapel on the Washington University Danforth Campus. Livestream is available here for those unable to attend in person. The event is free and open to the public.
Harvey Fields, PhD, founding Dean and Assistant Professor of Chemistry, College of STEM at Harris Stowe State University, will provide the keynote address.
Other speakers will include Chancellor Andrew D. Martin, PhD; Wilmetta Toliver-Diallo, PhD, Senior Assistant Dean of Advising, College of Arts & Sciences and Lecturer in the African and African-American Studies Department; and the Reverend Callista Isabelle, Director for Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life.
The commemoration will also include presentations of the “Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Service Award” and the “Rosa L. Parks Award for Meritorious Service to the Community.”
There will be student performances by Black Anthology, the Unending Praise Gospel Acapella Choir, and the Washington University Concert Choir. Hussein Amuri, President of the Student Union (SU) and Spencer Snipe, Vice President of the Association of Black Students (ABS) will be co-hosts.
The event is free and open to the public. Donations of canned goods and hygiene items will be accepted. A reception in Danforth University Center (DUC), Tisch Commons will follow the commemoration program.
Community Service Project
Please join WashU before the commemoration for a community service project from Noon – 2pm in Tisch Commons in the Danforth University Center (DUC). We will be assembling hygiene kits for youth in the Ritenour School District, care packages for the unhoused, blankets for area animal shelters, and cards for local senior citizens.
Both the community service project and commemoration ceremony are free and open to the public.