Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
2026 Schedule of Events
All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise specified within the program description or registration link.
For more information, please contact the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion by calling (412) 268-2150 or emailing csdi@andrew.cmu.edu.
This page is subject to be updated as more information becomes available.
Resounding Peace & Justice: Taiko Drumming
Friday, January 16, 2026
Studio Theater, Cohon University Center
10:30 a.m. Children’s School Performance (by invitation only)
12:00 p.m. Campus-Community Performance
Experience the thunderous power of Peaceful Forest as they bridge the gap between tradition and transformation. This special MLK Day program uses the collective energy of Taiko drumming to mirror Dr. King’s vision of a "Beloved Community." Through synchronized rhythm and shared breath, we explore how individual empowerment fuels our collective pursuit of peace. Join us at Carnegie Mellon as we drum for justice and resonate with hope. (Performance time: 30 minutes)
Special MLK Day 2026 Event
The Power of Us: “A Shared Storytelling Experience”
Connan Room, Cohon University Center
Community is built one story at a time. In honor of Dr. King’s vision of the "Beloved Community," the Center invites you to an afternoon dedicated to the art of personal storytelling and deep human connection.
We will be guided by the practice of Conocimiento—the pursuit of communal wisdom and mutual understanding. This isn't just a networking event; it is an opportunity to move past the surface. By sharing our unique journeys and listening with intention, we foster a culture where every individual is seen, heard, and valued.
Join us for this conversation dinner to help strengthen the fabric of our campus. Space is limited. To RSVP for this experience, please use this link: https://forms.gle/gMLde6AF6bPa4ZfX8
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Birthday Celebration
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cohon University Center, Tepper Atrium and the Sustainability Studio in Hunt Library
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, the Office of the Vice Provost of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Center with support from Chartwells invite the entire campus community to join us for a special birthday celebration. Stop by a campus location to grab a sweet treat and learn more about upcoming programs celebrating the life of Dr. King.
Registration is not required.
MLK Interfaith Breakfast
Friday, January 23, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
Rangos Balloom, Cohon University Center
Every year, members of the Carnegie Mellon community are invited to an informal breakfast with campus and community interfaith leaders, centering on fellowship and conversation about Dr. King’s legacy. This year, the breakfast will feature Dr. Angela Reynolds, CEO of the YWCA of Pittsburgh and alumna of Heinz College. Participants will be invited to consider how their personal values and spirituality serve as a foundation for interfaith community engagement, following the example of Dr. King.
Register for the MLK Interfaith Breakfast
2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Keynote Lecture featuring Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
5:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Rangos Ballroom, Cohon University Center
Register for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Keynote Lecture.
Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, president emerita of Spelman College, is a leading clinical psychologist and nationally recognized expert on race and education. During her thirteen-year tenure at Spelman (2002–2015), she guided the college through significant growth and was honored with the 2013 Carnegie Academic Leadership Award for her transformative leadership.
The best-selling author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? and Can We Talk about Race?: And Other Conversations in an Era of School Resegregation, Dr. Tatum continues to shape national conversations about racial identity, campus climate, and educational equity. Her forthcoming book, Peril and Promise: College Leadership in Turbulent Times (September 2025), offers thought-provoking perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing higher education in an era of rapid social change.
Her influential scholarship and public engagement have earned major recognition, including the Brock International Prize in Education and the American Psychological Association’s Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology. She is also a sought-after speaker known for her compelling insights on higher education leadership, inclusive campus environments, and the impact of race in the classroom.
A dedicated civic leader in Atlanta, she serves on the boards of organizations including Achieve Atlanta, the Westside Future Fund, Morehouse College, Smith College, Georgia Power, and the Educational Testing Service. Dr. Tatum holds degrees from Wesleyan University, the University of Michigan, and Hartford International University, and has held faculty and leadership roles at UC Santa Barbara, Westfield State, and Mount Holyoke College, where she also served as interim president during the 2022–23 academic year.
Pittsburgh Community Event
Poetry Unplugged: Still Dreaming!
Fri, Jan 16, 2026, 7:00pm
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center proudly presents the 10th anniversary of Poetry Unplugged: Still Dreaming!, presented by Citizens—a powerful evening of spoken word honoring the enduring life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This milestone celebration brings together an extraordinary lineup of Pennsylvania-based poets who will speak truth to power, illuminate today’s ever-shifting social climate, and remind us of the collective resilience found in Dr. King’s dream.
Curated and hosted by Orlando Watson—Governor for the Recording Academy’s Philadelphia Chapter and a member of the Academy’s Spoken Word Poetry National Committee—this year’s program promises a stirring blend of artistry, activism, and authentic storytelling.
The night will feature a special appearance by 2026 GRAMMY-nominated songwriter, Khemist Mayfield of Philadelphia, whose lyrical depth and musicality continue to redefine contemporary poetry and hip-hop.
Pittsburgh Community Event
Celebrating Social Justice in Song
Monday, January 19, 2026
7:30pm
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave
The 19th Annual Let Freedom Sing Concert celebrates the social justice legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr through vocal & instrumental music and spoken word. The concert features vocal selections by The Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh, the Rodman Street Baptist Church Choir and acclaimed operatic soprano Zuly Inirio and concludes with a performance by the intergenerational MLK Festival Choir, directed by Dr. Herbert Jones and Alton Mitchell. A jazz trio backs up the singers for the evening. WAMO 107.3 radio personality Kiki Jones serves as the celebrity Emcee. Proceeds benefit the Let Freedom Sing Concerts, the Kelly Strayhorn Theater and the Afro American Music Institute.