MLK week to feature volunteer opportunities, critical conversations

· 3 min read

MLK week to feature volunteer opportunities, critical conversations

MLK Week 2022 illustration with photo of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s MLK Week celebration will feature week-long opportunities for service, education and conversation.

The university will honor the legacy of the iconic civil rights leader with a series of events Jan. 17-21. This year’s theme is “When the problems of the world are gigantic in extent and chaotic in detail … give us the power of endurance.”

The celebration will offer events for students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the Lincoln community.

For more information, click here.

The week will feature a special edition of Dish it Up on Jan. 18, featuring a student panel reflecting on experiences and the importance of endurance in social advocacy work.

Additionally, Huskers are invited to volunteer throughout the week. The service opportunities, which are Jan. 18-21, will feature food donations and time to volunteer to pack 2,000-plus rice and bean meals that will be distributed to feed the hungry across Nebraska.

“During his lifetime, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. worked tirelessly for his vision of a nation of freedom and equality,” said Andrew Brown, assistant director of community engagement at Nebraska. “He inspired people to fight against injustice of all kinds, once saying: “Life’s persistent and most urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Through volunteering this week, students will have the opportunity to empower individuals, strengthen communities and move us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a ‘beloved community.’”

For more information on service opportunities, click here.

Events are listed below:

  • Jan. 17: 27th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Rally, 9:30 a.m., virtual
  • Jan. 18, Dish It Up, noon to 1 p.m., Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, Unity Room, hybrid
  • Jan. 18-21: MLK Community Service, various locations and times
  • Jan. 19: MLK Commemorative Celebration, 6 to 8 p.m., virtual
  • Jan. 20: MLK Mentoring Luncheon, noon to 1 p.m., Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, hybrid
  • Jan. 21: APU MLK Banquet, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Nebraska Union

“This year, we worked diligently to provide opportunities for several ways of engagement — whether that be through community service, informational panels or conversations with national thought leaders,” said Nkenge Friday, chair of the MLK Week committee. “MLK Week 2022 is designed to ignite in our community ongoing ways to engage in the critical work of inclusive excellence through intentional actions.”

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

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