The theme of the 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration is “The Challenge of Change: Intersectional Justice and Democracy.”
Fairfield University’s annual commemoration of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. features a series of campus-wide events designed to inspire all to continue on with the important work reflected in the words, writings, and actions of Dr. King.
"The Fairfield University community is proud to celebrate the life and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a number of programs," stated Ophelie Rowe-Allen, EdD, associate dean of students and director of Residence Life. "We hope that the variety of programs planned by the MLK committee will intersect with the work we are currently doing across disciplines and within different communities. In furthering Dr. King’s legacy, we invite the greater Fairfield community to participate in discourse on racial justice by attending one or more of the events to better understand each other and recognize our shared human dignity.”
The 2020 MLK, Jr. Convocation, an integral part of the celebration, will be held on Wednesday, January 29 at 8 p.m. at the Quick Center for the Arts where Award-winning investigative journalist and New York Times Magazine staff writer Nikole Hannah-Jones will be the keynote speaker. The event is free and open to the public.
The Convocation will be preceded by a dinner and awards presentation. The Vision Award recipients — individuals who demonstrate a commitment to the ideals and values of Dr. King — will be honored, as will the winners of the annual essay contest for middle school students. This year’s Vision Awards are being presented to Silvia Marsans-Sakly, PhD, assistant professor of history; Julie Barbero Mughal, associate director of the Center for Social Impact, and Luckario Alcide '21. Additionally, Mary Francis Malone, PhD will be presented with the Lifetime Service Award.
In addition to the Convocation, the committee has planned a series of events to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy including a gospel concert, a New Mosaic performance and lecture featuring Noah Baerman from Resonant Motion Inc., a campus visit from the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Academy, and a retrospective celebration of activism on campus.
For more information about this year’s MLK Jr. celebration, please visit fairfield.edu/mlk.
