January 17, 2019
Dear Members of the Carnegie Mellon Community:
Diversity and inclusion live at the heart of Carnegie Mellon’s mission. As a campus community, we’re proud to take the time to honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by creating meaningful opportunities to honor his call to pursue justice, promote peace and serve others, while reaffirming these ideals as our own.
This year, as we celebrate Dr. King’s legacy, Carnegie Mellon’s Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion has partnered with campus departments, Pittsburgh area organizations, and thought leaders from across the country to produce a series of lectures, discussions, performances and service projects that will take place in the coming weeks.
The events listed below provide opportunities for all campus community members to engage with one another and carry out our commitment to build a more inclusive and vibrant culture at Carnegie Mellon:
- The 20th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Writing Awards
Monday, Jan. 21, 4:30 p.m., Rangos Ballroom, Cohon University Center (CUC)
The ceremony will feature live readings from this year’s winners and musical performances by students from the College of Fine Arts.
- MLK Day of Service
Tuesday, Jan. 22, 4:30 p.m., McKenna/Peter/Wright Rooms, CUC
Please join fellow CMU community members for a signature service project packing lunches for those facing homelessness. The bagged lunch project will benefit the Light of Life Rescue Mission’s Emergency Shelter Program.
- Black Male Summit Lecture 2019
Friday, Feb. 1, 4:30 p.m., McConomy Auditorium, CUC
This featured lecture will be given by Dr. Derrick Brooms, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Cincinnati whose research and activism focus on education equality, racism and identity development.
- CAUSE Lecture: “Soul Values & American Slavery”
Friday, Feb. 8, 4:30 p.m., Simmons Auditorium, Tepper Building
Dr. Daina Ramey Berry is an associate professor of history and African Diaspora Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
- MLK Keynote Lecture: “Race, Inequality & the American Democracy”
Monday, Feb. 11, 4:30 p.m., McConomy Auditorium, CUC
Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad’s research and scholarship examine the broad intersections of race, democracy, inequality and criminal justice in modern U.S. history.
Please view our Martin Luther King, Jr. program schedule online for additional event details, and be sure to visit the Center’s website to learn how its staff and students are cultivating an engaging and welcoming campus environment for us all throughout the year.
We hope that you will engage with fellow community members by attending as many of these special events as you can, and be inspired by Dr. King’s example for spreading a sense of togetherness and hope throughout the world.
Sincerely,
Jim Garrett, Provost
Gina Casalegno, Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs