Calendar of Events
Marquee Events
Monday, February 5
Humanizing the Black Experience through the Power of Storytelling | MakerSpace Event Space (Ground Floor), 6 MetroTech Center | 5:30–7:30 p.m. ET
Though Black Americans were fighting to overcome racism, segregation, disenfranchisement, and socioeconomic inequality during the Civil Rights movement, they were also living their lives. These lived experiences, however, are rarely centered when discussing the dominant Black culture of the time. Expanding our understanding of Blackness beyond what is traditionally presented to us on the nightly news and the cover pages of mainstream print media involves forward-thinking exploration that seeks to liberate us from popular portrayals and stereotypes. During this session, Darrell L. Willis (artistic director of the legendary Dunbar Repertory Company) will host a discussion on Black culture during the Civil Rights movement through the lens of two-time Pulitzer Prize award-winning playwright, August Wilson—a Black playwright who adeptly explored the effects of decades of systemic and social racism in his work, as well as the joys, advances, and triumphs of Black Americans.
Darrell L. Willis will lead attendees through a lively analysis and celebration of the times of Martin Luther King, Jr., which will include a performance, discussion, and examination of the Civil Rights movement. Dinner will be provided, and the first fifty attendees will have the opportunity to take home a copy of one of August Wilson’s plays, The Piano Lesson, Seven Guitars, Fences, or Two Trains Running.
This event is open to the NYU community and is organized in collaboration with the Tandon School of Engineering.
Tuesday, February 6
The 19th Annual MLK Spoken Word Contest: The Power of Love | Pless Hall (82 Washington Square E), Lobby | 6:00–7:30 p.m. ET
The MLK Spoken Word Contest (formerly, the MLK Oratorical Contest) is an annual event at which NYU students honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., through oral performances.
This year’s contest will feature spoken word pieces by students from across the university. Inspired by the MLK Week 2024 theme, Power Reimagined, all performances will center around the prompt, “The Power of Love,” and focus on the beautifully positive outcomes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy of fighting against oppression and segregation with love and perseverance.
This event is open to the NYU community and organized in collaboration with the NYU Steinhardt Graduate Student Organization (GSO).
Wednesday, February 7
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Faculty Award Ceremony | Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life (238 Thompson St), Grand Hall (5th Floor) | 5:00–7:00 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. start)
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Faculty Award recognizes outstanding faculty who exemplify the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s scholarship, life, and justice work and who promote the principles and ethos of Dr. King’s extensive global contributions in their research, teaching, leadership, and/or community-building efforts. These awards are of particular significance as they are driven by students. Student participation includes, but is not limited to, award development, nomination, selection, and recognition of faculty honorees who have made a substantial impact within the classroom, in advancing student research and co-curricular projects, and in their work with students across the greater NYU community.
This event is by invitation only. Please contact globalinclusion@nyu.edu with any questions.
Thursday, February 8
University-Wide Event – Powered by Love: A Community Celebration | Kimmel Center for University Life (60 Washington Square S), Rosenthal Pavilion (10th Floor) | 6:00–8:00 p.m. ET
Come together in community to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s enduring impact and our efforts to create a more inclusive world. Enjoy a drink and some of MLK's favorite foods; participate in a raffle and reflective activities; and celebrate our award recipients and honor Dr. King's legacy.
This event is free and open to the public.
Friday, February 9
Social Impact Showcase | Kimmel Center for University Life (60 Washington Sq S), CMEP Lounge (Rm 804) | 12:00–3:00 p.m. ET
Join us at the Social Impact Showcase for an opportunity to explore community needs and social issues at the intersection of active citizenship and social justice! Come experience amazing projects created by NYU students that focus on social issues within our communities, as well as a student-curated zine focused on Dr. King and active citizenship. You will also have the opportunity to reflect on your relationship to service through postcards, which may be compiled into a digital scrapbook following the event!
Free pizza, boba, and giveaways will be available while supplies last!
Organized in collaboration with the Center for Student Life.
The Office of Global Inclusion, Diversity, and Strategic Innovation invites the NYU community to join in celebrating the rich history and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Among the various programs organized by the NYU MLK Week Planning Committee, schools, offices, and student organizations across the University organize events occurring throughout and beyond NYU MLK Week 2024. These programs seek to educate and encourage community engagement with various social justice topics.
FEBRUARY 1 — Passion and Perseverance: a Conversation with Attorney and NYU Alum Alycia Guichard | 239 Greene Street, 8th Fl | 6:00–7:30 p.m. ET
NYU Media, Culture, and Communication alum (BS '01) Alycia Guichard shares her transformative journey – evolving from a ward of the state in the NYC foster care system to interning under the guidance of Sonia Sotomayor and ultimately a remarkable career as a corporate attorney – and offers students valuable insights on resilience and ways to chart a meaningful existence.
More Info & RSVP | Event Flyer
Open to the public and organized by the Steinhardt Department of Media, Culture, and Communication
FEBRUARY 5 — Reclaiming the Right to Learn: Education and Prison | Bobst Library (70 Washington Sq S), North Reading Room (2nd Floor) | 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET
A panel of staff, students, and librarian supporters of the NYU Prison Education Program (PEP) will speak on issues of education and carceral confinement, as well as the historical connections to freedom struggles within and beyond the site of the prison. This event will examine the legacy of organizing done by incarcerated people to gain access to different forms of education and the link between access to education and larger movements for freedom and civil rights. Speakers will also focus on the historical and contemporary role of radical librarians within and against the carceral state and the challenges and opportunities of censorship, technology, and access to resources facing college-in-prison programs like NYU PEP today.
Open to the public and organized by the Division of Libraries
FEBRUARY 5 — Keep on Movin': Beauty, Love, and Justice | Bonomi Admissions Center (27 W 4th Street) | 5:30–7:00 p.m. ET
In Martin Luther King’s Blueprint speech, he emphasized the importance of Black people embracing their skin color and hair texture. MLK also urged the youth to commit to the principles of beauty, love, and justice. He ended the speech with a call to action, “Keep moving!”
In her talk, Dr. Shatima Jones will discuss the legacy of MLK’s words and their connection to the Black is Beautiful movement during the 1960s and the more recent Natural Hair Care movement. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their personal hair stories, enjoy refreshments, and receive free hair products (while supplies last)! This is an event you won't want to miss.
More Info & RSVP | Event Flyers
Open to NYU community members and co-sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars Program and the Gallatin Diversity Council.
FEBRUARY 7 — Leaders on the Rise: My Journey in Science and Medicine | Virtual Event (Zoom) | 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET
In celebration of MLK Week 2024, the Grossman School of Medicine invites you to attend a panel discussion featuring accomplished MD/PhD and PhD students advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within their careers. Panelists will share their journeys, insights, and perspectives on how the intersections of medicine and research are transforming the healthcare landscape. This important conversation will be moderated by a current undergraduate student and serve as an opportunity to inspire future generations of physician-scientists.
Open to the public and organized by the Grossman School of Medicine
FEBRUARY 8 — Race Narratives through Contemporary Media: Comic, Podcasts, and AI | King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center (53 Washington Sq S) | 7:00–9:00 p.m. ET
A conversation with Quan Zhou (NYU KJC Chair, Spring '24), Wan Sonya Tang (Boston College), and Mary Kate Donovan (Skidmore College) about how media have influenced the expression of race issues in contemporary Spain from a Sino-Spanish perspective).
More Info (no RSVP required)
Open to the public and organized by NYU KJCC, East Asian Studies, and the Asian/Pacific/American Institute
FEBRUARY 9 — Centering Black Lives: Curating Our Lists & Libraries — Author talk and workshop with Dr. Megan Madison | Georgiou Library (239 Greene St), 5th Floor | 12:30–2:00 p.m. ET
As part of the Black Lives Matter at School National Week of Action, join the Department of Teaching and Learning, the Office of School and Community Partnerships and the Constantine Georgiou Library for "Centering Black lives: Curating Our Lists & Libraries" on Friday, February 9 from 12:30-2:00pm at the Georgiou Library, 239 Greene Street, 5th Floor. Dr. Megan Pamela Ruth Madison will join us to discuss First Conversations, a series of board books she co-authored with Jessica Ralli, on the topics of race, gender, consent, love, bodies, grief, justice, and disability.
More Info & RSVP | Event Flyer
Open to the public and organized by the Department of Teaching and Learning, the Office of School and Community Partnerships, and the Constantine Georgiou Library
ON VIEW THROUGH MARCH 15 — Ralph Ellison: Photographer | Kimmel Windows (Vitrines along LaGuardia and W 3rd Street)
Ralph Ellison (1913–1994) is widely regarded as one of the foremost figures in American literature. His first and only novel published during his lifetime, Invisible Man (1952), remains a seminal work, hailed as a breakthrough representation of the American experience and Black everyday life. Lesser known, however, is Ellison’s lifelong engagement with photography, which ran parallel to his writing.
This exhibition is drawn from the book Ralph Ellison: Photographer, published by The Gordon Parks Foundation, The Ralph and Fanny Ellison Charitable Trust, and Steidl. It is curated by Michal Raz-Russo and John F. Callahan, editors of Ralph Ellison: Photographer.
Open to the public
MARCH 27 — Q&A with Stand-Up Comedian Katrina Davis | Kimmel Center for University Life (60 Washington Sq S), Rm 405/406 | 3:00–4:30 p.m. ET
Stand-up comedian and Vice Magazine’s “20 Comedians to watch in 2023/2024,” Katrina Davis is one of the few young black female stand-up comedians working today. Join her for a discussion about her influences, challenges, and history in stand-up, and the changing status of stand-up comedy as an important social act and increasingly significant part of popular culture. Moderated by Liberal Studies faculty Dr. Elayne Tobin and Dr. Afrodesia McCannon.
NOTE: This event has been rescheduled from February 13.
More Info & RSVP | Event Flyer
Open to NYU community members and organized by Liberal Studies Art, Text, Media and the Global Media Lab