Honoring the Life and Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Indiana University faculty, staff, students, and the community at large reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. King. As a community, we collaboratively envision ways to carry forward his work and participate in impactful, inclusive, and engaging programming which honors Dr. King in a manner relevant today.

Through a range of activities, workshops, films, panel discussions, and acclaimed speakers, we invite all community and university members to join us in observing and recognizing Dr. King's commitment to social justice and global peace.

Shaun Harper

Indiana University 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Indiana University hosted “An Afternoon Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 3 p.m., at the Indiana University Memorial Union, Alumni Hall, Bloomington, Indiana. The program included student performances, IU’s Building Bridges award presentations, and a special keynote address from Prof. Shaun Harper, one of the nation’s most highly respected racial equity experts. A recording of the program can be found at broadcast.iu.edu.

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The Building Bridges Award

Students, faculty, staff, alums, and community partners across Indiana are invited to submit nominations for the 2025 Building Bridges Award, which recognizes an individual or group exemplifying equality, diversity, inclusion, and respect. One student and one additional community member from each IU campus and the IU School of Medicine will be recognized with the Building Bridges Award during Indiana University's Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in January.

Learn More and Nominate Someone Today

Promote Your MLK Jr. Celebration Events

Whether you are in a residence hall or student group hosting a movie night, a campus or department presenting a guest lecture, or a community member hosting service projects, we want to know about it! All events related to the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration are welcome and promoted via the MLK calendar and a bi-weekly university-wide newsletter.

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Virtual Tool Kit

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., a toolkit is available to supplement a virtual, day-on experience helping community members educate, learn, and grow.

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Diversity Education

Indiana University offers various educational opportunities across its campuses for staff, faculty, students to foster an inclusive and respectful environment that encourages dialogue and interaction about issues related to equity, social justice, and intersectional diversity. Watch a keynote session, workshop, or training program from one of IU’s Social Justice Conferences or any of IU’s previous workshops today.

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Indiana University’s Social Justice Conference

Indiana University hosted the Social Justice Conference in 2021, 2022, and 2023 offering the IU faculty, staff, students, and community members an opportunity to attend presentations, workshops, and more. With a keynote session and several concurrent sessions led by social justice experts, the conference provided opportunities for all community members to honor, reflect on and be inspired by the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

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