Cutout photo of Martin Luther King Jr. raising his hand layered over an abstract purple background

Emory King Week

January 14–25, 2025

Emory University King Week is a series of programs offered in January by various Emory units to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement. Programs include educational lectures, spiritual events, community service projects, celebrations, and exhibits.

This page will be updated as additional information becomes available. Check back in January for new events and final times and locations. For more information, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu.

Middle School and High School Debate Tournament Volunteer Judging

Atlanta Urban Debate League

Saturday, January 11, Ivy Prep Academy, and Saturday, January 18, Sutton Middle School Sixth Grade Campus

The Atlanta Urban Debate League (AUDL) of the Center for Civic and Community Engagement will be hosting middle school and high school debate tournaments during King Week and volunteer judges are needed. The 2024–2025 debate topic focuses on whether artificial intelligence needs more governmental restrictions to protect intellectual property rights. No debate experience is necessary—training will take place the morning of the debate tournaments. Volunteers will be working with minors and will need to complete an online orientation process and a background check prior to volunteering. Please contact Christy Bradley, director of the Atlanta Urban Debate League and K-12 Engagement, for additional information.

To volunteer for these and other AUDL events and to access the online orientation process, visit the AUDL page on Emory OPEN. Volunteers will get information about how to access the tournament after signing up. 

Lecture and Panel: ‘The Injustice of Poverty: King’s Fight for Economic Equality’

Emory Law

Wednesday, January 15, 12:15-1:30 p.m., Tull Auditorium, Gambrell Hall

We invite you attend the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Day lecture. Panelists include Tolton Pace 00C 02PH, senior program officer, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; David McMillon, assistant professor, Emory Department of Economics; and Pierce Hand Seitz 10C, Atlanta Municipal Court judge. The panel will be moderated by Ifeoma Ajunwa, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Law. For more information, contact A. Kenyatta Greer, director of inclusion and community.

Register for lecture

Film Screening: ‘Our Friend Martin’

Friday, January 17, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Location TBD

The Barkley Forum invites you to a special screening of the 1999 animated film Our Friend Martin. This powerful movie tells the story of two friends who journey through time to learn about Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy, offering an inspiring lens through which to reflect on the significance of his work. The screening will serve as an opportunity to pause and consider this moment in history and our collective responsibility to shape a brighter future. During the film, participants can engage in an arts and crafts activity, envisioning and depicting their dream futures and exploring the role they might play in bringing those dreams to life. Come for an evening of reflection, creativity, and community as we honor Dr. King’s vision and commit ourselves to carrying it forward. Refreshments and light lunch provided. RSVP: R. W. Poole II

Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars Breakfast Reception

Sunday, January 19, 9:30–10:30 a.m., Community Room, Convocation Hall 

By invitation only. The Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars Breakfast Reception is a gathering for recipients of the Emory University MLK, Jr. Scholarship and celebrates MLK Jr. Scholars both past and present prior to the Beloved Community Worship Service. Open to current and alumni MLK Jr. Scholars. For more information, please contact the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.


Beloved Community Worship Service and Lunch


Rev. Sharon Stroye, Director, Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Initiative

Sunday, January 19, 11:00 a.m., Service | Noon, Lunch in Brooks Commons
Cannon Chapel and via Zoom

Emory Beloved Community is a weekly ecumenical Protestant worship service for the Emory community that gathers Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in Cannon Chapel during the academic year followed by lunch in Brooks Commons. All Emory community members are welcome. For more information, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu.

Register for in-person worship

Register for Zoom 

Sharon Stroye

Newton County MLK Jr. Celebration (Oxford)

Sunday, January 19, 2025, 3:00–5:00 p.m.

Open to all community members. Transportation will be arranged for students, faculty, and staff to attend. Oxford professor Emorja Roberson performs with the local Newton County MLK Chorale. For more information, contact claudia.s.zanjanchian@emory.edu

Emory Day’s On

Monday, January 20, 8:30 a.m., Emory Student Center

NOTE: Please only sign up for one shift. Thank you.

Register here 

Emory Day's On offers Emory students a one-day volunteering opportunity to support the needs of Atlanta communities in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year, our service project will be in partnership with the city of Decatur. Join us at 8:30 a.m. in front of Emory Student Center for T-shirt distribution, a group picture, gift raffle, and more. At 8:50 a.m., students will depart to our service partner site within the city of Decatur. Sponsored by Volunteer Emory. For questions, please contact Byron Jones.  

Oxford College MLK Day of Service

Monday, January 20, 9:30 a.m.–Noon

Service projects from 10:00 a.m. to Noon, followed by lunch and post-event reflection. For questions, please contact claudia.s.zanjanchian@emory.edu.

Sign up here 

MLK Observance (Pending)

Monday, January 20, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. 

Emory Black Student Union is collaborating with Emory National Pan-Hellenic Council and Emory NAACP to attend the MLK observance organized by the King Center. All Emory community members are welcome to participate. For more information, please contact Dionica Bell. More information to come. 


Candler School of Theology Events


Candler welcomes you in person or via livestream in observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and contemporary freedom struggles. Hope to see you there.

  • Service of Word and Table with Rev. Dr. Luther E. Smith, Jr.
    Professor Emeritus of Church and Community

    Tuesday, January 21, 11:05 a.m., Cannon Chapel or online
  • Service of Word with Rev. Dr. Teresa L. Fry Brown
    Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Bandy Professor of Preaching
     
    Thursday, January 23, 11:05 a.m., Cannon Chapel or online

View the livestream

Distinguished King Week Speaker

Mary Frances Berry

Wednesday, January 22, 4:00–6:00 p.m., Convocation Hall

Mary Frances Berry
Mary Frances Berry is the Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of 12 books. Berry has had a distinguished career in public service. She was a member and chair of the US Commission on Civil Rights and served as the Assistant Secretary for Education in the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW). She has also served as provost of the University of Maryland and chancellor of the University of Colorado at Boulder. Open to the Emory community and the public. For questions, please contact Chandra Ford at chandra.l.ford@emory.edu. Hosted by the Department of African American Studies.

Oxford Campus MLK Celebration

Bishop Robin Dease, Keynote Speaker

Wednesday, January 22, 7:30 pm, Old Church, Oxford, Georgia

Bishop Robin Dease
Robin Dease was elected bishop in 2022 and now leads the North Georgia and South Georgia Conferences. Before her election, she served as a pastor and district superintendent in the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. The observance also will feature a variety of collegiate singing groups, the Soul Collective ensemble, and the Newton County King Choir. For questions, please contact claudia.s.zanjanchian@emory.edu or ansley.holder@emory.edu

Oxford Equitable Dinner

Thursday, January 23, 4:00–6:00 p.m., Phi Gamma Hall

For questions, please contact claudia.s.zanjanchian@emory.edu or sharon.stroye@emory.edu.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Awards Celebration

Uplifting Humanity: Creating a Future of Justice and Equity through Compassion and Service’

Thursday, January 23, 4:00–5:30 p.m., Margaret H. Rollins Ballroom, R. Randall Rollins Building Rollins, Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Road

Please join the Woodruff Health Sciences Center, Emory School of Medicine, Rollins School of Public Health, Goizueta Business School, Emory School of Nursing, Emory Healthcare, and the Emory Office of Diversity and Inclusion by honoring the excellent service of individuals and organizations in Atlanta whose work exemplifies the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

RSVP here 

2024 King Week Events

Watch videos of some of last year’s events on the 2024 Emory King Week page.

Off-Campus MLK Jr. Day Programming

As the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. and the headquarters of the civil rights movement, the city of Atlanta offers many opportunities to learn and connect with the history of civil rights and ongoing initiatives to continue these efforts. Several institutions to follow include Ebenezer Baptist Church, the MLK Jr. National Historical Park, the King Center, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Emory Black History Month Programming

The events of King Week often continue into February, which is Black History Month. Please see our partner offices below for Black History Month programming.

Conveners: Carol Henderson, chief diversity officer, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Office of the Provost, and Gregory McGonigle, dean of religious life, Office of Spiritual and Religious Life, Office of the President
 
  • Advancement and Alumni Engagement
  • Barkley Forum for Debate, Deliberation, and Dialogue, Campus Life
  • Belonging and Community Justice, Campus Life
  • Candler School of Theology
  • Center for Civic and Community Engagement, Campus Life
  • Department of African American Studies
  • Emory College Center for Creativity and Arts
  • Emory University Libraries
  • Goizueta Business School
  • James Weldon Johnson Institute for the Study of Race and Difference
  • Laney Graduate School
  • Office for Undergraduate Education
  • Office of Government and Community Affairs
  • Oxford College
  • Rollins School of Public Health
  • School of Law
  • School of Medicine
  • School of Nursing