“Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.”
— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ("Where do we go from here?", 1967)
Each year, Northwest Missouri State University celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the third week of January. The 2024 theme, It Starts with Me: Shifting the Culture Through Social Change, aims to represent the transformative power of social change through programs, service, and events co-sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. As we continue to bear witness to society’s current struggles, we are looking to explore how we, as individuals, can collectively be vehicles of change at Northwest and within our communities.
January 15, 2024
11:30 AM - 1 PM CST | J.W. Jones Student Union
MLK Peace Brunch will kick off the week of honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s brunch will feature Northwest Jazz Quartet and other community artists. Our keynote speaker will be Maryville alumnus Dr. Leslie Doyle.
Doyle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communication and media studies from Northwest in 1997. She also has a Master of Science degree in higher education from the University of Kansas, a Master of Management degree in business and leadership from Fontbonne University, and an Ed.D. in higher education leadership from Maryville University. Doyle has worked for many years in higher education. Outside of her work in higher education, Doyle has served as a consultant and presenter to various organizations with a focus on equity, including healthcare providers, non-profits, and religious institutions.
We will also be honoring several in our community with the Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Awards. If you would like to co-sponsor or reserve a table for the event, please contact Shay Malone at smalone@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1517. We look forward to seeing you there!
January 16-19, 2024
Various Times and Locations
At the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stood the pivotal strategy of nonviolent protests, exemplified through sit-ins and demonstrations. Drawing inspiration from these historic actions, in 1965, dedicated faculty and administrators at the University of Michigan pioneered a series of engaging events known as "Teach-Ins." These sessions encompassed debates, lectures, movies, and musical performances, all aimed at enlightening students about the profound economic and social implications of the war, civil rights, and women's movements.
The legacy of Teach-Ins endures, as colleges and universities today continue to leverage this impactful approach to foster community engagement. These modern Teach-Ins delve into critical topics such as race, anti-racism, equity, inclusion, and the enduring aspirations for peace and justice championed by Dr. King.
In the spirit of commemorating MLK's vision, we invite you to host a Teach-In during the week of January 15 through 19, 2024. These teach-ins can be held virtually or in-person throughout the campus community. If you are interested in being a part of this project, please fill out this form by December 11, 2023. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
January 20, 2024
MLK Day of Service is a national initiative to make the recognition of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a “day on, not a day off." In collaboration with several student organizations and departments, Northwest will serve the Maryville community on Saturday, January 20th. More information to follow.
