Emory King Week

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

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

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

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

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. 

‘Cultivating a Healing Mindset—Bridging Divides and Building Community’

January 21-23, 2025

Join the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation™ (TRHT) Initiative at Emory for the 9th Annual National Day of Racial Healing. Events begin with opening remarks by Gail Christopher, executive director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity and architect of the TRHT framework, followed by a panel exploring healing-centered approaches to bridging divides and building inclusive communities. The Emory Black Employee Network will host an in-person racial healing circle to foster connection and promote social, personal, and professional growth. The week concludes with a dinner, dialogue, and theater experience on the Oxford College campus in partnership with Thriving Together Atlanta’s Equitable Dinner. For questions, please contact trht@emory.edu or text 404.435.4836.

Lunch and Learn Panel Discussion

Tuesday, January 21, 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Jones Room, Robert Woodruff Library, Atlanta campus/hybrid. Lunch provided. 

Emory Black Employee Network Racial Healing Circle

Wednesday, January 22, 4:30–6:30 p.m., Location TBD, Atlanta campus. Refreshments provided.

Thriving Together Atlanta Equitable Dinner

Thursday, January 23, 4:00–6:00 p.m., Phi Gamma Hall, Oxford College. Dinner provided.

Register 

Distinguished King Week Speaker

Mary Frances Berry

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

Oxford Campus MLK Celebration

Bishop Robin Dease, Keynote Speaker

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

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.