Observed on the third Monday of January every year, this year’s MLK Day celebration is on January 18, 2021. This is the first year that Vermont Tech is closed in observance of the holiday, yet we continue to offer ways to celebrate, serve, and reflect on the impact of this historical American figure. At this time, like none before it, President Moulton encourages the entire college community to spend time in the service of others and embody, to the best of our individual abilities, the messages of love, anti-discrimination, and freedom for all championed by Martin Luther King, Jr. as active measures we can take to unite our country and preserve our democracy.
The following virtual events are available on the Student Activities Canvas Course and are available to all Vermont Tech students and employees.
Sunday, January 17, 2021, 3:00PM
2021 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance – hosted by the Greater Burlington Multicultural Resource Center and Vermont Humanities Council annually, this year’s live stream event features writer and educator, Tim Wise, as the keynote speaker. [Event link]
Monday, January 18, 2021 (MLK Day), 12:00-1:00PM
It has been more than 57 years since Martin Luther King, Jr was arrested for the crime of organizing peaceful protests against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. In the modern context of the Black Lives Matter movement, the “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” he wrote then is every bit as relevant today.
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, Dr. Keith Tookey reviews the letters both within the context of 1963, and welcomes discussion of how Dr. King’s ideas continue to apply today. There is no prerequisite, but if you wish to read the letter for yourself, it can be found online. [Event link].
Monday, January 18, 2021 (MLK Day), 4:00-6:00PM
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Celebration – hosted by the Madame Walker Legacy Center and Indiana University, this virtual celebration features the legendary political activist, Angela Davis, and the co-founder of Black Lives Matter, Alicia Garza as they lead a conversation on the “then and now” of social justice, equality, and inclusion. The event is free but registration is required. [Event link]
Wednesday, January 20, 2021, 5:30-6:45PM
Slave Health Deficit: The Journey to Health Parity – hosted by the University of Vermont, this virtual lecture features keynote speaker Leon McDougle, MD, MPH. Dr. McDougle is the President of the National Medical Association and Professor of Family Medicine and Chief Diversity Officer at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. The event is free but registration is required. [Event link].
In addition to scheduled events, the list of available resources on the Canvas course includes Martin Luther King, Jr. speeches that can be streamed from YouTube.