2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
January 17 – January 27, 2024
Recently, this country and the world have been witnesses to incidents of tragedy, division, hate, violence and injustices. However, we have also observed amazing triumphs, sacrifices, unified voices, and demonstrations of humanity and love in the midst of despair. In his famous “I have a dream” speech, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. exclaimed, “With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.” Dr. King, and many other influential leaders, called on us to hold on to hope and continue to strive toward the ideals of freedom, justice, and equality. Let us carry this stone of hope for these ideals, as well as universal peace, love, and dignity for all.
The University of Mary Washington Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Keynote Speaker:
Tylik M. McMillan
Wednesday, January 24 | 7 p.m. | Chandler Ballroom C, Cedric Rucker University Center
Sponsored by the Office of the President
Internationally recognized young civil rights activist and movement strategist Tylik McMillan is a native of Lawrenceville Virginia, by way of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and a proud HBCU graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Tylik works to educate lawmakers and stakeholders from the White House to corporate c-suites on the challenges and opportunities facing communities, by advocating for more resources and policies that help invest and advance economic and social equality.
Tylik helped organize the 2020 Commitment March on Washington and 2021 March On for Voting Rights which drew over hundreds of thousands to Washington D.C. which called for racial justice, police reform, voting rights protections, census participation and more. Within his work Tylik has commentated on MSNBC, BBC World News and others. He has been recognized by Vice President Kamala Harris and the White House as a prominent young voice to help lead our nation forward. In addition he has been recognized as a Bloomberg 50 One to Watch, featured by Good Morning America, CBS Morning News, Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, BBC, BET among other global, national, and local outlets. Tylik wishes to inspire other young people to get involved and make civic engagement the new norm, not the exception. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
MLK Jr. Day of Service
Saturday, January 27 |1 pm – 4 pm | Chandler Ballroom, Cedric Rucker University Center
Sign up to participate in the MLK Day of Service
Join your fellow students to celebrate MLK Day of Service by registering here. This event honors Dr. King’s vision with service projects for Fredericksburg-area agencies. Refreshments will be provided. Sign up to participate in the Day of Service at bit.ly/mlkumw2023
For more information, contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at 540/654-1044 or umwjfmc@gmail.com. Please email us at umwjfmc@gmail.com if you have any questions regarding disability-related accommodations.