Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration

For several years, units from Whitman’s Identity and Belonging area, the Intercultural Center and Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, have partnered with Walla Walla University and other community collaborators to organize a local event celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This day is a time for us to celebrate, commemorate and honor the life and enduring legacy of Dr. King. This is not a “day off” but a “day on” to remember, to celebrate and to act! Instead of disengaging on this day of celebration, let us be reminded of the continued work to be done. 

Monday, Jan. 20, at noon
Begin the day at Reid Campus Center, where we will create posters and signs uplifting King’s words and vision. Additionally, after she speaks at Walla Walla University's CommUnity Service, Marci Correa, University Chapter Coordinator with Adventist Peace Fellowship, will offer words of encouragement to the Whitman community. Her reflections will shape the tone for our celebratory gathering. 

1:30 p.m.
From the Reid Campus Center, we will walk to the Gesa Power House Theatre holding high posters, banners and signs we created, symbolizing our commitment to honor King’s work advancing racial justice and equity for marginalized communities.

2 p.m.
At the theater, Dr. Jace Saplan, Senior Director of Identity and Belonging, will deliver an engaging keynote address urging us to reflect on King’s leadership and the connection between Native Hawaiian communities and the broader Civil Rights/Liberation movement.

3 p.m.
Following the keynote, we will end our day of celebration with a time to serve our community. Blue Mountain Action Council is happy for us to help assemble 500 Backpack Bridge bags for students in need as they head back to school. These opportunities provide us the momentum to use what we have learned into sustainable action supporting and uplifting those around us as King encouraged. Thanks to Walla Walla University’s Center for Humanitarian Engagement for organizing this service activity for our community. 

We hope you will join us for this day of reflection, inspiration and service. (Flyer attached.) For accommodations and questions please reach out to Tebraie Banda-Johns, Director of the Intercultural Center, at bandajot@whitman.edu.