On Monday, Jan. 20, Grand Valley State University observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The day is a federal holiday that honors and celebrates the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the prominent civil rights movement leader. GVSU organized a week of commemorative events, many of which were postponed or canceled due to inclement weather. The University has held MLK Commemoration Week for the last 34 years.
Every year, leaders from a variety of disciplines and communities are invited by the University’s MLK executive planning committee to share their experiences with students, faculty and the greater Grand Rapids area. With speakers coming from diverse backgrounds, such as education, business ownership and activism, their goal is to educate and promote social justice initiatives.
“(The purpose of the MLK Commemoration Week is) to bring awareness and celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a legacy that continues to inspire and challenge us to dream bigger, do better and strive for justice,” said Bobby Springer, chair of the MLK executive planning committee.
Louis Moore, a member of the MLK Commemoration Week executive planning committee, stated that two committees are involved in planning the events. The first committee is part of a longstanding partnership with Davenport University and Grand Rapids Community College, in which a keynote speaker is selected based on a theme. According to Moore, this year’s theme was voting rights. The second committee works to organize the week’s events.
The keynote presentation by Latosha Brown was postponed until February. She is the co-founder of Black Voters Matter, an organization dedicated to increasing voter registration with a focus on African American communities. Her activism also extends to areas of feminism and philanthropy, and her work has been recognized in 23 countries.
“The GVSU community looks forward to this event (the keynote speech),” said Moore. “It is a time for campus and community members to reflect and reset in the spirit of King.”
The Silent March, normally held on the Allendale Campus, was also canceled. In past years, the event acted as a showcase of solidarity. Participants were able to connect while reflecting on King’s work and sacrifices.
Another speaking event, featuring Dar Mayweather, was also postponed. As a GVSU alumnus who graduated in both 2007 and 2009, his connection to the University allows for relevant insight into areas in which the institution could improve. Mayweather’s background in education lends itself to his work in coaching students to achieve their educational and professional endeavors. His presentation would have aimed to foster an environment of inclusion and heightened awareness of campus diversity.
The final speaker, Joe Jones, was able to give his presentation on leadership philosophy on Friday, Jan. 24. His experience as a previous Grand Rapids city commissioner and pastor gave him a range of experience to draw from. He is also the founder of the Hekima Group, a practice located in Grand Rapids that provides advice to professionals of varying backgrounds.
On Saturday, Jan. 25, students also had the opportunity to take part in the MLK Day of Service and Solidarity. The opportunity gave participants a chance to show their support for one another in a tangible way through service projects.
“The GVSU community has been profoundly impacted by this event (MLK Day of Service and Solidarity), as it provides students, faculty and staff with a chance to connect with local organizations, address pressing community needs and build stronger relationships with one another,” said Anees Mohammad, the Office of Student Life’s graduate assistant for civic engagement. “It fosters a culture of service and awareness, inspiring participants to continue engaging in meaningful action beyond this day.”
Despite the challenges the weather brought, the message that speakers, committee members and service project participants hope to convey remains, as they strive to uphold King’s legacy and ethics.