Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Our 32nd-annual celebration kicks off Wednesday, Jan. 26 and continues with events through Black History Month
Columbus State extends a warm welcome to all who join us for the College’s annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Through a mix of virtual, hybrid, and in-person events, we will honor Dr. King’s legacy and carry on his work to create a more equitable, just, and inclusive community for all people.
MLK Celebration Events
Why We Can’t Wait: A Discussion of “Letter from Birmingham Jail”
6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26
Virtual panel discussion
KEYNOTE: Alone We Might Survive, Together We Can Thrive
10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16
Center for Workforce Development, 315 Cleveland Avenue, and online
Featured speaker to be announced soon
The Promise of Columbus: Creating College Opportunity
6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10
Virtual panel discussion
Food for Thought: A Discussion on Nutrition Disparities in Minoritized Communities
1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17
Mitchell Hall, 250 Cleveland Avenue
In-person culinary workshop (registration required)
Painting Songs of a Movement
2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17
Mitchell Hall, 250 Cleveland Avenue
In-person public art project collaboration
Onionomics: Reframing Financial Wellness Through an Equity Lens
1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11
Virtual presentation
Additional Black History Month Events
African-American Read-In Chain
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10
Join our annual hosting of the National African American Read-In Chain event sharing selected readings by Black authors.
Details coming soon.
Poets in Black
Thursday, Feb. 24, time TBA
Enjoy readings of African-American poetry and prose at the 24th Annual Poets in Black event.
Details coming soon.
On-Demand Resources
Reading of Dr. King’s Nobel Peace Prize Award Acceptance Speech
Video presentation featuring Columbus State students, staff and faculty
“A Reading of the Letter from Birmingham Jail”
Short film shared from the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity
Why We Can’t Wait: A Discussion of “Letter from Birmingham Jail”
6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26
Virtual panel discussion
Presented by the Black Student Union and the MLK Planning Committee
Dr. King, along with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), were invited to Birmingham, Ala. In 1963 to collaborate with the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights (ACMHR) on dismantling segregation and racist tactics used against African Americans.
During the visit, Dr. King was arrested for leading a protest against restaurants and retail shops in downtown Birmingham. While imprisoned, he came across a local paper and viewed statements from eight Birmingham clergymen condemning his presence, condemning the non-violent protests, and urging African Americans to seek justice and equality solely through the courts and not in the streets of Birmingham.
In response, Dr. King composed the historic document now known as “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
Please join us to discuss this historically significant document; its themes, history, and relevance in society today; and much more
To get the most out of the discourse, please read the following prior to the event:
- Statement by Alabama Clergymen, April 12, 1963
- “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” August 1963
Presenters
Keynote: Alone We Might Survive, Together We Can Thrive
10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16
Center for Workforce Development, 315 Cleveland Avenue, and online
Join our signature keynote event which this year will feature a local community vendor fair in addition to our hybrid keynote ceremony and featured guest speaker presentation. Our vendor fair will include the opportunity to contribute to a unique art piece being curated by local artist Simone Robinson that will be displayed on our downtown campus.
Check back soon for details about this year’s guest speaker and featured vendors at the event.
The Promise of Columbus: Creating College Opportunity
6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10
Virtual panel discussion facilitated by Donte Woods-Spikes
Join community storyteller and documentarian Donte Woods-Spikes to hear from a panel of Columbus City Schools students. They’ll share their stories of perseverance through the pandemic and preparation for their college journey at Columbus State as the first class of “Columbus Promise” scholars.
Food for Thought: A Discussion on Nutrition Disparities in Minoritized Communities
1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17
Mitchell Hall, 250 Cleveland Avenue
In-person culinary workshop (registration required)
Facilitated by Columbus State’s School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts and the ASPIRE study, this interactive workshop will guide participants through the creation of select healthful and nutritious menu items while sharing about the results from a recent study exploring food injustices within minoritized communities. Participants will leave this presentation better empowered to make smart culinary choices and with samples of food prepared during the session. Limited seating is available.
Check back for registration details coming soon!
Painting Songs of a Movement
2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17
Mitchell Hall, 250 Cleveland Avenue
In-person public art project collaboration
Join local artist Simone Robinson in contributing to the hands-on creation of a collaborative art piece for future display at our downtown campus.
Onionomics: Reframing Financial Wellness Through an Equity Lens
1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11
Virtual presentation
The “wealth mindset,” “wealth consciousness,” and “generational wealth” have become the new buzz words in 2021 and 2022. However, is it possible the word “wealth” has been incorrectly used to describe what it really means to be rich. Is there even a difference between the two?
If you follow our dollar, “Black History” not only reveals that there is a difference, but how we’ve erred on the side of riches vs. wealth as Black Billionaires make up fewer than 1% of all billionaires worldwide. Notwithstanding the racial wealth gap, much of the Black Community has equated financial success with having expensive cars, houses, and enough cash to fill a bank. Unfortunately, professional athletes, social media and the like, have only helped to re-enforce this.
However, get ready to delve into the myths and misconceptions around the rich vs. wealth mindset and rediscover how the power of “choice” can be your password to a whole new financial future!
