MLK Celebration
UF MLK Celebration is a campus-wide celebration honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his commitment to social justice through educational programs and service initiatives that are designed to empower you to use your strengths, passions, and talents to better the lives of others and impact your community. The purpose of the celebration is to empower the University of Florida community to see their role in continuing the legacy of Dr. King, and inspire them to use their strengths, passions, and talents to better the lives of others and impact their local and global community.
“The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday is a day of interracial and intercultural cooperation and sharing. No other day of the year brings so many peoples from different cultural backgrounds together in such a vibrant spirit of brother and sisterhood. Whether you are African American, Hispanic, or Native American, whether you are Caucasian or Asian-American, you are part of the great dream Martin Luther King, Jr. had for America. This is not a black holiday; it is a peoples’ holiday. And it is the young people of all races and religions who hold the keys to the fulfillment of his dream.” -Coretta Scott King
All MLK Celebration Events are open to UF students, faculty, staff, and the Gainesville community.
About the Celebration
The University of Florida Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is an annual campus-wide committee under the direction of The Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement in the Division of Student Life. The campus-wide celebration brings together many student organizations and university departments to make the celebration a success. Throughout the weeklong celebration, participants and attendees can expect specifically curated events honoring and reflecting on the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and how his impact is still felt today.
2024 MLK Celebration Events
Opening Ceremony Breakfast
Thursday, January 11th
To kick off our celebrations, join us for our 2024 Opening Ceremony Breakfast where we will begin to dialogue about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the impact he has had in the nation, and how we can work collectively to expand his work while enjoying a delicious breakfast.
Time: Doors open at 9:30AM, program to begin at 10:00AM.
Location: Pugh Hall Ocora
KING'S MECCA- HOW ATLANTA SHAPED MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.'S PHILOSOPHY & WORLDVIEW: A LECTURE BY DR. JEFFREY OGBAR
Thursday, January 11th
Dr. Jeffrey O. G. Ogbar is a Professor of History and the founding Director of the Center for the Study of Popular Music at the University of Connecticut. He is the author or editor of several books, scholarly journal articles and book chapters including Black Power: Radical Politics and African American Identity (The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004), Hip-Hop Revolution: The Culture and Politics of Rap (University Press of Kansas, 2007); and The Harlem Renaissance Revisited: Politics, Arts and Letters, (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2010). Dr. Ogbar will join us to talk about his latest work and how Dr. King’s impact and work was shaped by his hometown: Atlanta. GA.
Time: 5:00PM - 6:30PM
Location: Smathers Library, Room 100; Reception to follow at the Institute of Black Culture
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Hosted by the Brown Center for Leadership & Service
Saturday, January 13th
Join fellow UF student volunteers and our partnering community members for a day of reflection and service in the local Gainesville community. Learn about service opportunities in Gainesville, meet new people, build awareness of diverse social issues and communities, and experience the community first-hand. Breakfast will be served upon check in.
Time: Check in begins at 8:30AM
Location: Reitz Union Rion Ballroom
King Celebration Annual Commemorative March & Parade
Hosted by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission of Florida, Inc.
Monday, January 15th
Join fellow UF student volunteers and our partnering community members for a day of reflection and service in the local Gainesville community. Learn about service opportunities in Gainesville, meet new people, build awareness of diverse social issues and communities, and experience the community first-hand. Breakfast will be served upon check in.
Time: 12:00PM - 5:00PM
Parade Route: East University Avenue to Waldo Road, North to Citizens Field
Free Shuttle Bus Services provided by City of Gainesville from Citizens Field to Downtown Gainesville
TRIVIA NIGHT! ALL ABOUT DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
Tuesday, January 16th
Think you know a lot about Martin Luther King Jr.? Willing to test your Black history knowledge? Join us in honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrating Black History through a night of insightful trivia! Let's pay homage to the past, celebrate the present, and pave the way for a brighter future together, while playing for the ultimate prize!
Time: 5:30PM-6:30PM
Location: Institute of Black Culture (IBC)
CLOSING CEREMONY RECEPTION: IBC MURAL DEDICATION CEREMONY
Tuesday, January 16th
As we close our weeklong celebration, join us as we reflect on our celebration throughout the week and honor the newest installment in the Institute of Black Culture: a mural highlighting iconic and important figures in the Black community at UF.
Time: 7:00PM - 8:00PM
Location: Institute of Black Culture (IBC)
