Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events
Friday, February 10
*SPECIAL PRE-WEEK EVENT* Culture Karaoke: Expression Across the Diaspora | E&L Auditorium (4th Floor), Kimmel Center for University Life (60 Washington Sq S) | 5:30–7:30 p.m. ET
Organized in collaboration with African Student Union (ASU) and the Black Student Union (BSU). Registration and event details are forthcoming.
Monday, February 13
Evolving Images of Blackness in STEM | MakerSpace Event Space (1st Floor), 6 MetroTech Center | 5:00–6:30 p.m. ET (reception: 4:30–5:00 p.m. ET)
Analyzing culture through an Afrofuturistic lens involves the forward-thinking exploration of science, technology, and pop culture, in a manner that seeks to liberate us from popular portrayals and stereotypes associated with Black people and Black communities. Through this lens, our cultural understanding of Blackness can expand beyond what is traditionally presented to us in popular television, music, and art; and assist Black people—and the world—in reimagining how they perceive and understand Black history. Already at the forefront of researching and addressing STEM issues that impact communities all over the world, the Tandon community is uniquely positioned to unpack the role STEM has in revolutionizing our understanding of popular portrayals of Black people, as well as opportunities for Black advancement in the STEM field.
Join the MLK Week Planning Committee for an interactive discussion that explores what it means to advance Black liberation within STEM, and the actions we must collectively take to begin this process. Light refreshments will be served pre- and post-event.
Organized in collaboration with the NYU Tandon School of Engineering and open to all NYU community members.
Tuesday, February 14
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Faculty Award Ceremony | Grand Hall (5th Floor), Center for Academic and Spiritual Life (238 Thompson St) | 4:00–6:00 p.m. ET
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 reach out to globalinclusion@nyu.edu if you have any questions.
The 18th Annual Steinhardt Graduate Student Organization (GSO) MLK Oratorical Contest | Virtual event | 6:00–7:00 p.m. ET
This year’s MLK Oratorical Contest will feature spoken word pieces from graduate students from across the university. Performances will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and center around this year’s theme, Our Collective Liberation.
The grand prize winner will be awarded an Apple iPad and highlighted during the University-Wide Event on February 16. Runners-up will receive cash prizes.
All NYU graduate students are encouraged to apply to perform in this year's competition.
Presented by the NYU Steinhardt Graduate Student Organization (GSO).
Wednesday, February 15
NYU Service Fair | E&L Auditorium (4th Floor), Kimmel Center for University Life (60 Washington Sq S) | 12:00–4:00 p.m. ET
Dr. King’s teachings remind us that service is a powerful way to bring people together to advocate for change. This year, in lieu of a Day of Service, we will be holding the NYU Service Fair during MLK Week. This event is a campus-wide service and volunteer fair to connect students with local non-profits and community-based organizations. All agencies attending the fair will have positions available for student interns or volunteers. A diverse range of organizations will be present, representing a wide variety of areas including education inequality, environmental sustainability, immigration, elder care, houselessness and poverty, prison reform, and youth mentoring.
Organized in collaboration with the Center for Student Life.
Silent Disco: Sights & Sounds of Afrofuturism | Third North Theatre (Tower C3, Basement Level), Third North Residence Hall (75 3rd Avenue) | 5:00–6:30 p.m. ET
From the musings of Sun Ra, Erykah Badu, and Janelle Monáe to the empowering songs featured in the blockbuster hit Black Panther, experience Afrofuturistic music from Black artists past and present at this silent disco. Wear a pair of silent disco headphones and enter our prize raffle while surrounded by a creative exhibit that seeks to imagine what it means to achieve collective liberation.
Organized in collaboration with NYU Residential Life and Housing Services.
Thursday, February 16
University-Wide Event | E&L Auditorium (4th Floor), Kimmel Center for University Life (60 Washington Sq S) | 7:00–9:00 p.m. ET
As a global community, our journey toward liberation continues to be an intergenerational effort requiring lessons learned from our ancestors and engagement across current generations as we prepare the world for the future. But what is collective liberation in practice? How can its actualization change society as we know it? And what kinds of futures might we reimagine for ourselves, our communities, and our succeeding generations as we move closer to this ideal? In the words of Dr. King, “...we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.” This collective responsibility to liberate ourselves—globally, cross-generationally, and beyond—drives this year’s MLK Week programming.
The highlight of the week will be the University-Wide Event on Thursday, February 16, which will feature a conversation with playwright and composer-lyricist Michael R. Jackson (Tisch ’03, ’05) and other special guests, as well as the presentation of this year’s Humanitarian Award to Professor Michael Dinwiddie (Gallatin ’80, Tisch ’83).
This event is free and open to the public.
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 2023. These programs seek to educate and encourage community engagement with various social justice topics.
FEB 11–19 | Classical Theatre of Harlem: Twelfth Night | Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Pl) | Performances at 2:30 & 7:00 p.m. ET
The Classical Theatre of Harlem’s acclaimed, award-winning production of Shakespeare’s raucous comedy returns for a limited two-week engagement. Hailed as “fizzy and fun” (NY Times), CTH’s Twelfth Night abounds with hilarity, mistaken identities, dance, and the intoxicating madness of love.
The recipient of two 2022 AUDELCO awards, CTH’s celebrated mounting stars Tony Award-nominee Kara Young (The Cost of Living, Clyde), whose performance as Viola was cited as a “Best of 2022” by The New York Times. The production is directed by 2022 AUDELCO Award-winner Carl Cofield.
This event is organized by NYU Skirball.
**NYU Students receive a special discount of $15 off when purchasing with their NYU ID at the NYU Box Office or through the NYU Skirball events calendar.**
FEB 17 | The Student Affairs Conference @ NYU | Kimmel Center for University Life (60 Washington Sq S) | 9:00–6:00 p.m. ET
In its 21st year, The Student Affairs Conference @ NYU will offer innovative programs that break the mold and help the field to grow, reflect, assess, connect, and empower. Register to attend and participate in the conference's dynamic sessions (including a Global Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, Equity, and Access programming track) today!
More Info | Conference Programs | Registration
The Student Affairs Conference is a collaborative effort between the Division of Student Affairs and the graduate student Association of Student Affairs Professionals (ASAP) within the Higher Education and Student Affairs program at NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.
Call for Programs
Submit this form to have your event featured on the NYU MLK Week website.
EXTENDED Submission Deadline: Friday, February 3, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET