2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

EmPOWERing Democracy: Embodying Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's Vision

The 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee seeks to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a week of thought-provoking activities centered on EmPOWERing Democracy: Embodying Dr. Martin Luther King's Vision.

As a Charger community, we will focus on Dr. King's historical vision of America's democracy by addressing the intersection of voting rights, nonviolent activism, and some pivotal moments when America became a democratic society. We will also recognize the work of the NAACP, which has used advocacy and litigation to fight for civil rights, since its founding 115 years ago.

Dr. King's tireless efforts to secure rights and advocate for justice for all people are at the heart of our MLK week celebration. In addition, EmPOWERing Democracy pays tribute to those who have fought – and continue to fight – for equity and justice. We acknowledge that nonviolent activism and social justice advocacy, which were defining aspects of Dr. King's leadership, remain central to our approach to fostering meaningful dialogue and social change within our Charger community.

"EmPOWERing Democracy: Embodying Dr. Martin Luther King's Vision" is a tribute to the past and a call to action today -- and for the future. It embodies the enduring spirit of Dr. King's dream and inspires a new generation to continue the pursuit of a more just, caring, and equitable society.

Events

---

Interfaith Service - POSTPONED

Thursday, January 18, 4:30 p.m. | Alumni Lounge, Bartels Campus Center

Please join us in celebrating the legacy of faith identity in activism at our Interfaith Service. This event will feature faith leaders representing faiths from our community speaking about how faith has played a role in their work and the legacy of faith in the civil rights movement and other movements for liberation around the world.

Sponsored by the Myatt Center for Diversity & Inclusion and the Dean of Students Office.

Celebration of Activism

Friday, January 19, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Alumni Lounge, Bartels Campus Center

Please join us in celebrating the legacy and history of activism at the University of New Haven and beyond at the Celebration & Archive of Activism. As part of the UNewHaven Archive of Activism, the University community is invited to share and contribute experiences, events, photos, videos, and more of moments of activism in the University’s history.

Sponsored by the Myatt Center for Diversity & Inclusion and the Office of Residence Life

Community Service Projects

Friday, January 19 - Tuesday, January 23

Join the Center for Student Engagement, Leadership, and Orientation for various community service projects to be held during our MLK Celebration. These projects will be completed in collaboration with nonprofit organizations supporting the Greater New Haven community.

• Friday, January 19: Students, faculty, and staff are invited to make sandwiches that will be donated to the Columbus House in New Haven. All supplies provided by Sodexo, Noon to 3 p.m., Moulton Lounge, Bartels Campus Center
• Monday, January 22: Volunteer at WHEAT, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (two-hour shifts); Volunteer at Beulah Social Integration 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 23: Volunteer at Beulah Social Integration, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sponsored by the Center for Student Engagement, Leadership, and Orientation the Office of Graduate and International Student Life.

For more information, please visit Charger Connection or email CSE@newhaven.edu.

Courageous Conversation

Monday, January 22, 5 p.m. | Bergami Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Room 203

Join the NAACP for a workshop on the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr and other activists. Participants will be able to enjoy an interactive session and contribute from their own experiences and perspectives.

Sponsored by the Myatt Center for Diversity & Inclusion and the NAACP Recognized Student Organization.

For more information, email cdi@newhaven.edu

MLK Celebration

Wednesday, January 24, 5 p.m. | Bucknall Theater, Dodds Hall

Please join the MLK Celebration committee for the culmination of our weeklong celebration. The event will feature a keynote speaker as well as recognition of MLK Vision Award recipients who demonstrate a commitment to the ideals and values of Dr. King. We will also honor the winners of the MLK Regional Secondary School Students Challenge. The celebration is an integral part of the MLK week of events. It is free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the MLK Celebration Committee.

For more information email deanofstudents@newhaven.edu

Awards & Recognition Nominations

Vision Awards
Nominations due: December 15
Nomination Form (myCharger login required)

Philip & Susan Bartels Awards for Leadership and Service
Nominations due: December 15
Nomination Form (myCharger login required)

MLK Student Scholarship
Applications due: December 15
Scholarship Application (myCharger login required)

MLK Regional Secondary School Students Challenge

Due Date: January 5, 2024

We are inviting regional secondary school students to submit an entry (video, essay, poem, visual, etc.) that depicts the MLK theme: EmPOWERing Democracy: Embodying Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's Vision as well as what Martin Luther King Jr means to them and their communities. This is open to all high school students. The winners of this challenge will be recognized at the MLK Celebration event.

Sponsored by the MLK Celebration Committee.

All entries can be emailed to MLKCelebration@newhaven.edu.

Past Winners

---

 

2024 Vision Award Winners

• Youssef Ossama ’24
• Sadara Funches ’24
• Kiana White ’24, ’25 M.S.
• Toyin Folorunso ’24 M.S.
• Zelda Roland, Ph.D., Director of the Prison Education Program
• Randall Horton, Ph.D., Professor of English

2024 Phillip & Susan Bartels Award for Leadership and Service
Michael Rossi, Ph.D., associate nean for faculty and curriculum for the College of Arts and Sciences

2024 MLK Student Scholarship Recipient
Marcus T. Harvin ’23 A.S., ’25

---

2023 Vision Award Winners

• Yanice Mendez-Fernandez, Ph.D., MPH, Associate Dean, School of Health Sciences
• David Schroeder, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice
• Michael Rossi, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Faculty and Curriculum, College of Arts and Sciences
• Peri Alexander ‘23
• Leo Levine Aquino ‘23
• Azza Hussein ‘23 M.A.

2023 Phillip & Susan Bartels Award for Leadership and Service
Linda Copney-Okeke ‘91, ‘94, ‘02 M.A., Director, Accessibility Resources Center

MLK Student Scholarship Recipient
Kaelin Barrionuevo ‘26

T-Shirt Contest Winner
Eyosias Teka '24

---

2022 Vision Award Winners

• Adrielys Gomez ‘22
• Mary Lippa ‘23
• Richard Concepcion ‘20, ‘22 M.A.
• Staff – Zanaiya Leon ‘18, '20 MBA, Assistant Director, Myatt Center
• Faculty – Danielle Cooper, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Criminal Justice

Philip & Susan Bartels Awards for Leadership and Service
Sofia Martinez ‘22

MLK Student Scholarships
Anta Fall ‘23
Katiushka Ruiz ‘24

T-Shirt Contest
Kiana White ‘23

 

2023 Event Recap

2022 Event Recap