Rhodes College commemorates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. And whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. For some strange reason I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the way God's universe is made; this is the way it is structured."
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. committed his life to the pursuit of a more inclusive, just, and equitable society and encouraged us to be engaged in transformative service that combats structural injustice. Please join the Inclusive Excellence Leadership Council and MLK Week Planning Committee for a weeklong series of events commemorating Dr. King's life and legacy. We will explore our connection and responsibility to each other, our community, Memphis, and beyond. Our commemoration will incorporate opportunities to engage in service and self-reflection; strengthen our partnerships with our surrounding neighborhoods and communities; reflect on the words of Dr. King; and envision a new commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice at Rhodes. The schedule is below:
Monday, Jan. 16
Rhodes College is closed in observance of Dr. King’s Birthday. We encourage you to do service on your own in his honor. The Bonner Center for Community Engagement will provide a list of service opportunities for the Rhodes community.
From 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., The National Civil Rights Museum presents King Day: An All-Day Celebration, with free admission to the museum. For more information, click here.
Tuesday, Jan. 17
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Strategies (IDEAS) Forum for Faculty and Staff:
What Should Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice Be at Rhodes?
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Spence Wilson Room, Briggs Hall
As members of the Rhodes community, we must create a new vision for a just and equitable campus. It is time to reimagine and rewrite our Commitment to Diversity Statement. Join Dr. Sherry Turner in developing a new campus-wide statement on diversity. The IDEAS Forum consists of a series of conversations designed to ensure that the college approaches diversity and inclusion in a strategic, holistic, and coordinated way. Come help us articulate what the college’s commitment to inclusive excellence should be. Register here.
Speeches & Writings of Dr. King
Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Event begins at 6:30 p.m., Lynx Lair
Grab some dinner in the Lynx Lair and join us for an evening filled with Dr. King's moving words, followed by the talent of our community members at an open-mic night. Dessert will be provided!
Wednesday, Jan. 18
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Strategies (IDEAS) Forum for Students: What Should Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice Be at Rhodes?
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Catherine Burrow Refectory, Hyde Hall
As members of the Rhodes community, we must create a new vision for a just and equitable campus. It is time to reimagine and rewrite our Commitment to Diversity Statement. Join Dr. Sherry Turner in developing a new campus-wide statement on diversity. The IDEAS Forum consists of a series of conversations designed to ensure that the college approaches diversity and inclusion in a strategic, holistic, and coordinated way. Come help us articulate what the college’s commitment to inclusive excellence should be. Register here.
For questions or more information about MLK Week, please feel free to reach out to Jazmine Rodriguez, Dean of Equity and Engagement, or Dr. Sherry Turner, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives/Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer.
We hope to see you at the MLK Week events!