Emory University King Week is a series of programs offered in January by various Emory departments 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. Be sure to check in with the Emory University Office of Religious Life throughout the month 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 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.
Special Emory King Week Installation
Carlos Museum
Tuesday, January 14–Sunday, January 26, 2025, Carlos Museum Rotunda Entrance
In honor of King Week, the Carlos Museum is providing a special installation of two photographs by Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) staff photographer Danny Lyon in the museum rotunda. The photographs depict Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph David Abernathy leaving the Augusta jail, and a SNCC Toddle House sit-in featuring John Lewis. More information to is available here:
Learn more about the installation
Emory Libraries Events
King Materials Blog Post
Subject librarians in the Research and Engagement Services and Scholarly Communications (RESC) division authored a blog post that points the community to materials by and about Martin Luther King. More here: https://scholarblogs.emory.edu/woodruff/news/kingweek2025.
Pop-Up Library
Wednesday, January 22, Noon–2:00 p.m., Wonderful Wednesday, Emory Student Center Promenade and McDonough Field
The Research and Engagement Services and Scholarly Communications instruction team will also host a pop-up library at Wonderful Wednesday and provide Martin Luther King–related books to check out featured in the blog post or available at Woodruff Library.
For questions, please contact lisa.fenn@emory.edu.
Film Screening: ‘Our Friend Martin’
Friday, January 17, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Location: 130 Alumni Memorial University Center
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
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
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
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.
NOTE: Please only sign up for one shift. Thank you. Register here
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.
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
‘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 ninth 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.
Bridging Divides and Building Community 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.
Virtual Racial Healing Circle of Building Community
Wednesday, January 22, 1:00–2:30 p.m. Zoom. Register here.
Emory Black Employee Network and Emory Latinx Employee Resource Network Racial Healing Circle
Wednesday, January 22, 4:30–6:30 p.m., 360 Rita Anne Rollins Building, Candler School of Theology. Refreshments provided.
Thriving Together Atlanta Equitable Dinner
Thursday, January 23, 4:00–6:00 p.m., Phi Gamma Hall, Oxford College. Dinner provided. For questions, please contact claudia.s.zanjanchian@emory.edu or sharon.stroye@emory.edu.
Distinguished King Week Speaker
Mary Frances Berry
Wednesday, January 22, 4:00–6:00 p.m., Convocation Hall
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
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.
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 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.
A Look Back at 2024 King Week Events
Watch videos of some of last year’s events on the 2024 Emory King Week page and enjoy some photos in the gallery below.
