MLK Celebration

“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 people 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. Events for the 2025 MLK Celebration will be announced in November 2024.

ABOUT THE CELEBRATION

The University of Florida Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is an annual campus-wide committee under the direction of the Division of Student Life. This 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. The programs and service initiatives are designed to empower the Gator community to use their strengths, passions, and talents to better the lives of others and impact our community.

• MLK 2025 Opening Ceremony Breakfast 
• Description: To kick off our celebrations, join us for the 2025 Opening Ceremony Breakfast where we will have guest speakers and audience members talk and reflect 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.  
• Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025    
• Time: 10am-11:30am 
• Location: Rion Ballroom 
•  “Where do we go from here?” Afrofuturism and Dr. King’s Vision for America” ---- A Lecture by Dr. Hasan Jeffries 
• Description: Dr. King is too often frozen on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial dreaming about colorblindness. But his vision for America is far more complex than a handful of reductive soundbites from “I Have a Dream.” Dr. King envisioned an America that rejected racism, militarism, and corporate greed, and embraced instead race consciousness, justice, peace, and economic equality. This lecture will explore Dr. King’s vision for America and examine the blueprint he provided for making that vision a reality. A reception to follow. Led by the Bob Graham Center for Public Service & The African American Studies Program.   
• Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025  
• Time: 5pm 
• Location: Pugh Hall Ocora 
•  The Dream Unfolds: Art and Poetry Jam  
• Description: Join us as we continue to honor Dr. King’s legacy with a student-led program and initiative! The Dream Unfolds Art and Poetry Jam is a night for students to display their talents through art and poetry to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Co-sponsored by the Black Student Union (BSU), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the National Panhellenic Council (NPHC). 
• Date: Friday, January 17, 2025                                                                  
• Time: 6:30pm-8pm 
• Location: Reitz Union Room 2201 (Fishbowl) 
• Soulful Celebration: MLK Day Cookout!
• Description: This is a cookout you won’t want to miss! Join us in this community celebration honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This family-friendly event brings people together for a day of good food, fellowship, and reflection on the values of unity, equality, and service. Enjoy delicious food, music, and activities for all ages as we come together to celebrate Dr. King's dream of a just and inclusive world!
• Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025  
• Time: 12pm-4pm
• Location: Reitz Union North Lawn        
• Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service  
• Description: Fellow UF student volunteers and partnering community members come together for a day of reflection and service in the local Gainesville community. Students have the opportunity to learn about service opportunities in Gainesville, meet new people & build community, build awareness of diverse social issues and communities, and experience the Alachua community first-hand. Breakfast will be served to student volunteers participating! Led by the Brown Center for Leadership & Service. 
• Date: Monday, January 20, 2025         
• Time: Kick off at 8am 
• Location: Reitz Union Atrium 
• Register here! 
• Bridging the Dream: An MLK Celebration Mixer 
• Description: Join us for " Bridging the Dream: An MLK Celebration Mixer," a community mixer celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event brings together individuals from all walks of life to reflect on Dr. King's vision of equality, justice, and unity. Enjoy a meal refreshments, meaningful conversations, and opportunities to connect with others who are committed to building a stronger, more inclusive community. Let’s honor Dr. King’s dream by fostering relationships and inspiring positive change! 
• Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025           
• Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm 
• Location: Institute of Black Culture