Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With Us
Our MLK Keynote presentation has been rescheduled for next Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 1-2:30 p.m. The event will take place virtually.
Join us for a weeklong celebration from Monday, Jan. 23 through Friday, Jan. 27
Please mark your calendar for Columbus State’s 33rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. Celebration. The keynote address will be given by speaker and author Theo E.J.
Wilson. As we continue the work of Dr. King to build a better, more inclusive, community,
Columbus State is proud to champion his powerful messages with a weeklong series of
readings, volunteer opportunities, art installations, and more.
MLK Week Planned Events
Beyond Integration: Unlearning What We Think We Know about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Monday, Jan. 23 | noon to 1:30 p.m. | In-Person and Remote
Center for Workforce Development (WD), room 412
What did Dr. King mean when he said our destinies are tied together? In this discussion
of Dr. King's 1967 speech, "The Other America", the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will engage participants in a comparison
of the speech’s content with the narratives of Dr. King’s teachings that many of us
learned in predominantly white educational institutions. Join us to unpack post-civil
rights era understandings of “colorblindness” and integration—often attributed to
Dr. King—and examine how they square with his actual words.
Participants may benefit from reading or viewing "The Other America" prior to the discussion but it is not required for meaningful
participation.
Artistic Expression Discussion & Civil Rights Tour Presentation
Tuesday, Jan. 24 | noon to 1:30 p.m. | In-Person and Remote
Center for Workforce Development (WD), room 412
As part of the 33rd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, the Columbus State
community is invited to participate in a review of artistic expression featuring poetry
by Theo Wilson. A panel will guide group discussion on themes from the works followed
by a participant presentation from the 2022 Civil Rights Tour. Columbus State student
attendees will receive a free copy of Wilson’s first book, "The Law of Action". Registration
coming soon.
Keynote Event
Wednesday, Jan. 25 | 10:00 a.m. to noon | In-Person and Remote
Mitchell Hall (MH) Event Center (second floor)
Upward Together: Our Destinies Are Tied Together
Rescheduled: Wednesday, Feb. 1
Wednesday, Jan. 25
Keynote Speaker: Theo E.J. Wilson, speaker and author
Our keynote speaker Theo E.J. Wilson is an award-winning poet, community activist, and author known as “The New Black Klansman” after a video of himself infiltrating the alt-right movement went viral.
Wilson uses his platform to address the importance of having courageous conversations with people whose opinions differ from your own.
Online Event
1-2:30 p.m.
George Floyd Memorial Scholarship
As part of the keynote event, the 2022 winner of the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship will be announced. This scholarship, created in memory of George Floyd, is a merit-based award given to students who demonstrate leadership, social justice work, and activism that furthers progress in their community. Interested in supporting Columbus State’s George Floyd Memorial Scholarship? Any contribution is welcome to help extend scholarship awards to deserving students. Just designate your gift to the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship fund. Thanks for your consideration.
Trivia Day
Thursday, Jan. 26 | noon to 1:00 p.m. | In-Person and Remote
WD Room 412
Join us for an interactive Trivia Fun Day to learn, celebrate, and elevate the voices
of past and present trailblazers. This event will be accessible via Kahoot and the
link will be provided during the week of January 23, 2023. Join for the knowledge.
Join for the fun. Join for the prizes. No matter what motivates you, we look forward
to seeing on Kahoot!
Event link
MLK Day of Service
Friday, Jan. 27 | 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00-4:00 p.m. | In-Person
To honor and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, Columbus State Community College will offer the MLK Day of Service on Friday, January 27th, 2023. Volunteer opportunities will be available from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. at various local non-profit organizations throughout Central Ohio. Site leaders and volunteers will engage in reflection and conversation about King's legacy of service and action. Register for MLK Day of Service opportunities beginning on January 17 at tinyurl.com/CSCCMLKDAYOFSERVICE.
MLK Day of Service Frequently Asked Questions
"Intertwined: A Single Story Told in Parts"
Columbus State Community College staff member Sherita Golden will be creating a community art piece as part of our ongoing celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Community members will be invited to contribute to the painting on Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Mitchell Hall and on Thursday, Jan. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in WD.
Civil Rights Heritage Bus Tour Writing Competition Application 2023
The Office of Student Engagement and Inclusion is hosting a writing competition for Columbus State students. Winners will receive a scholarship to attend The Civil Rights Heritage Bus Tour from April 10, 2023 to April 15, 2023. The Heritage Tours is a non-profit organization that coordinates a Civil Rights Historical Tour of the South. The trip includes key locations from the civil rights movement including Ripley, Ohio; Atlanta; Tuskegee; Selma; Birmingham; Montgomery; Memphis; and Louisville. If you are interested in participating in the writing competition and earning a spot on the bus, please review the requirements before applying.
APPLY HERE (opens week of January 17)
Application Deadline: Feb. 21, 2023
Competition winners will be notified within a week of the deadline.
If you would like additional information about the writing competition or the Civil
Rights Heritage Bus Tour, please contact Katrina de los Santos.
Barb Smith-Allen Visionary Columbus State Dreamer Award
Each year we recognize one student and one employee who make significant and lasting contributions to build an environment where diversity is honored. Nominate a Barb Smith-Allen Visionary Columbus State Dreamer in honor of Dr. King.
“We must all learn to live together as brothers, or we will all perish together as fools. We are tied together in the single garment of destiny…whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.