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.

2023 MLK Celebration Events

Opening Ceremony Breakfast

Wednesday, January 11th

To kick off our celebrations, join us for our 2023 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 8:00AM, program to begin at 8:30AM.

Location: Reitz Union Grand Ballroom

Movie Night -- Judas and the Black Messiah

Wednesday, January 11th

An electrifying dramatization of historical events, Judas and the Black Messiah is a forceful condemnation of racial injustice. Join us for a front seat account of the betrayal of Fred Hampton, the chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party in late 1960's Chicago. Following the movie, we will take some time to dialogue and reflect on the impact of Fred Hampton and the implications to the Civil Rights Movement. Popcorn will be served.

Time: 6:00PM - 8:00PM

Location: Reitz Union Auditorium

The Time Is Now! MLK & Democratic StewardshiP:

A Lecture by Dr. Randal Maurice Jelks

Thursday, January 12th

Randal Maurice Jelks is an author, documentary film producer and a professor at the University of Kansas. He is the author of four books. His latest book is Letters to Martin: Meditations on Democracy in Black America. He is also a contributor to the Boston Review, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and Truthout as well as national blogs, journals, magazine, and newspapers. Dr. Jelks will join us to talk about his latest work and how Dr. King’s impact affects our nation today.

Time: 6:00PM - 7:30PM

Location: Pugh Hall Ocora

Florida Alternative Breaks: Service Trip to Atlanta, Georgia

Hosted by the Brown Center for Leadership & Service

Friday, January 13th - Monday, January 16th

Medici Project works to expose students to very innovative and strategic models of serving others that go beyond handouts and are rather carried out through a philosophy of service with dignity. Our hope with students, whether serving in homeless issues, urban education, global poverty issues, hunger, or health is to facilitate the perfect connection between service and learning, shaping future vocations and individuals to be "active citizens" within their communities. Medici Project develops programs and opportunities that are holistic in overall strategy, helping students to cultivate a heart of service, find their purpose, and pick up the necessary tools to engage in culture, all the while, shaping vocations, lifestyles, and creation. Students will travel to Atlanta to participate in service projects throughout the weekend with the Medici Project while learning about the history of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta.

Scholarships available for students in need.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Hosted by the Brown Center for Leadership & Service

Saturday, January 14th

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 9:00AM.

Location: Reitz Union Grand Ballroom

King Celebration Annual Commemorative March & Parade

Hosted by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission of Florida, Inc.

Monday, January 16th

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

Challenging Racism at UF: Antiracism Symposium

Closing Ceremony Reception