2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

With the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrated on Monday, Jan. 16, consider these opportunities to get involved, get inspired and get educated on the works of the civil rights leader. 

Engage

MLK Day March and Rally Sign Making Session

Monday, Jan. 16, 9 a.m., Hemmingson 215 | Event Details 

Join your fellow Zags in creating signs to carry at Spokane’s MLK Day Annual Unity Rally, March and Resource Fair later Monday morning.

MLK Day Annual Unity Rally, March and Resource Fair

Monday, Jan. 16, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Spokane Convention Center Ballrooms 111 ABC, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. | Event Details

Join the Spokane community in celebrating the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. People from all walks of life gather at the Spokane Convention Center annually for inspiring words from city leaders and a reading of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, followed by a march through downtown Spokane that often numbers in the thousands of participants. The Resource Fair opens at 11:30 a.m. after the march, with organizations from throughout the region offering support to the Spokane community.

Discuss

“I, Too, Am America” — An MLK Teach-In

Monday, Jan. 16, noon–2 p.m., Hemmingson Ballroom | Event Details

The Center for Community Engagement and Unity Multicultural Education Center are hosting a panel discussion on the visual rhetoric of the flag and its representation in modern times. Panelists include Quanika Bynum, a chaplain in the United State Air Force; Roberta Wilburn, associate dean emeritus from Whitworth University, Luke Lavin from Gonzaga’s Mission & Ministry office, and Veta Schlimgen, a GU associate professor of history.

Pray

Commemorative Celebration

Sunday, Jan. 15, 3–5 p.m., Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, 806 W. Indiana Ave., Spokane | Event Details

Join Pastor Ezra Kinlow and the congregation of the Holy Temple Church of God in Christ for a music and spoken word celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., at “the church at the heart of the city with the people of the city at heart.”

“Together We Lift Our Voice” – Dr. King Commemorative Service

Tuesday, Jan. 17, 12:10 p.m., Gonzaga University Chapel, 3rd Floor, College Hall | Event Details

A service of spoken word, movement and music presented jointly by the Office of Mission & Ministry, Unity Multicultural Education Center, Black Student Union, Office of Inclusive Excellence and Department of Music.

Connect

To learn more about the Spokane chapter of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Outreach Center, visit the organization’s website or Facebook page.

To learn more about the Spokane chapter of the NAACP, visit the organization’s Facebook page.

Reflect

President Thayne McCulloh's Message for 2023

President McCulloh writes that "Dr. King’s dream has motivated generations, leaving behind an immeasurable impact on our world." Read his 2023 message to the Gonzaga community. 

The Site of the Midnight Epiphany

Five years ago, Gonzaga's Center for Community Engagement sponsored a Mission Possible trip to Montgomery, Alabama, where students had the honor of sitting inside the home of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Today, we share again the reflections of those who had this life-changing opportunity.  

Explore

America magazine just this week published an anti-racism examen for Jesuit universities.

Here is a lengthy selection of powerful writings and speeches compiled by the Office of Mission and Ministry in 2020.

Loyola University Chicago offers this collection of Faith-Based Anti-Racism Resources.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers this outline of “a prayer service for racial healing in our land.”

The Ignation Solidarity Network presents an examen for White allies.  

And Xavier University shares an examen for aspiring anti-racist allies.

Find more prayers and reflections on race from our friends at the Association of Jesuit Colleges and University.