Carnegie Mellon University
January 13, 2023

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Life and Legacy

Dear Members of the Carnegie Mellon Community:

Over the coming days, the CMU community and the nation will honor the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther KingJr. Whether through engaging in service, connection or learning opportunities, it is my sincere hope that on January 16, you will take time to pause and consider what Dr. King means to you and our community.

Dr. King championed the idea of a beloved community — a community in which everyone is cared for and one that is absent of poverty, hunger and hate. As we think about our own Tartan community, I invite you to consider ways to embrace and embody the idea of a “beloved community” here at CMU. With Dr. King’s teachings in mind, this is a time for us to reaffirm our vision to create a diverse, inclusive and equitable institution for everyone.

As part of our community celebration, we are excited to host Majora Carter as Carnegie Mellon’s 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance Celebration and Keynote Lecturer on January 25 at 5 p.m. Ms. Carter is a MacArthur Fellow, Peabody Award-winning broadcaster, real estate developer and urban revitalization strategy consultant. She will join us to talk about how we define, uplift, grow and nurture community. Ms. Carter is quoted on the walls of the Smithsonian Museum of African-American History and Culture: "Nobody should have to move out of their neighborhood to live in a better one” — which is also the subtitle of her 2022 book, “Reclaiming Your Community.”

In addition to this keynote event, the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Office and the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion have partnered with campus departments, Pittsburgh area organizations and thought leaders from across the country to offer a series of lectures, discussions and service projects over the coming weeks. Please view the Martin Luther King, Jr. program schedule for a full listing of events.

I look forward to coming together in support of our community and in honor of the foundation laid by Dr. King.

Sincerely,

Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant
Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
Distinguished Service Professor, Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy