MLK Program

2023 MLK Celebration

Infinite Hope

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Program was established in January of 1997 at Belmont University as a celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Events are held each January as part of the observance of Dr. King's birthday. Each of these events are open to the Belmont community and to the public and all are welcome and invited to attend. Events each year include a chapel service and a campus dialogue on diversity, race and ethnicity.

Watch the 2021 MLK Week Uplift Luncheon

Saturday, January 14

• 2023 Annual Joint MLK Day of Service
  01-14-2023 | 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Cal Turner Family Center at Meharry Medical CollegeRegister

  Join local colleges & universities in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by volunteering throughout the Nashville Community. For a full list of service options and registration, visit https://www.belmont.edu/sl/mlk-day/index.html

  Contact person: Tim Stewart (tim.stewart@belmont.edu)

Monday, January 16

• King Day in Memphis – Belmont’s Black Student Association
  01-16-2023 | All Day | Memphis, TN

  Students to visit Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s. historic legacy at the National Civil Rights Musem at the Lorraine Motel and experience the Annual MLK Day Grizzlies’ basketball game.

  Purpose: To provide an in-depth educational experience with a celebratory component for BSA members and greater Belmont community about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the city of Memphis, where most of his significant work took place.

Tuesday, January 17

• Faculty & Staff Real Talk
  01-17-2023 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Massey Boardroom

  An open, frank, and honest dialogue focusing on, but not limited to diversity, equity, and inclusion here at Belmont University as well as nationally and globally. A confidential, safe, and brave space to voice all opinions. Our slogan is: "If you are bold enough to bring it up, then we are bold enough to talk about it." 

  Sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the MLK Celebration Committee. Contact Person: Gary Hunter (gary.hunter@belmont.edu)

Wednesday, January 18

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Week Address: Infinite Hope – Dr. Kevin Cosby
  01-18-2023 | 10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. | Gabhart Chapel

  Dr. Kevin Cosby is the Senior Pastor at St. Stephen Baptist Church in Louisville, KY for more than 30 years with 5,000-members, the largest African American church and the largest private employer of African Americans in Kentucky. He is also the 7th President of Simmons College of Kentucky, a Historically Black College/University (HBCU).  In 2005, Dr. Cosby was inaugurated as Simmons’ 13th president. In 2007, he led the once fledgling college to reclaim its original campus, lost during the Great Depression, and has since expanded to three campus locations. The college has expanded its curriculum and was accredited by the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). In 2014, Simmons was recognized as the 107th HBCU. During his first decade there, Dr. Cosby refused to take a salary and returned more than $700,000 to the college.

  An author of five books, he holds a Bachelor’s degree (Eastern Kentucky University); a Master of Divinity degree (The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary); and a Doctor of Ministry degree (United Theological Seminary).  He is consistently acknowledged as one of Kentucky’s most influential leaders: Louisvillian of the Year (2007); top religious leader (Louisville Magazine, 2011); Hall of Distinguished Alumni at Eastern Kentucky University (2012); Kentucky Gallery of Great Black Kentuckians (2015); Dr. Cosby was one of the eulogists at Muhammad Ali’s Funeral (2016); Inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College (2017).

  Dr. Cosby is married to the former Barnetta Turner. They have two adult children.

  Musical selections will be sung by the Black Student Association Choir.

  Sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the MLK Celebration Committee.

  WELLcore event

• Community Luncheon with Dr. Kevin Cosby
  01-18-2023 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Vince Gill Room

  Dr. Cosby will speak again. There is limited seating for this event. Sponsored by The Reverend Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership.

  Contact Persons: Dr. Jon Roebuck (jon.roebuck@belmont.edu) and Nick Baird-Chrisohon (nick.bairdchrisohon@belmont.edu)

Thursday, January 19

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Week Panel Discussion: “Seeing the Civil Rights Movement Through a Different Lens – The Jewish Perspective”
  01-19-2023 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Beaman A & B

  As a part of our MLK celebration week, members of the Nashville Jewish Community have been invited to campus to share their personal experiences of the Civil Rights movement.  This hour-long panel discussion will focus on how members of the local Jewish community participated and supported the African-American community during the turbulent 1960’s as the Civil Rights movement overtook our nation and our city.  This unique perspective is open to all students, staff, and faculty.

  Sponsored by the Reverend Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership

  Contact Persons:Dr. Jon Roebuck (jon.roebuck@belmont.edu) and Nick Baird-Chrisohon (nick.bairdchrisohon@belmont.edu)

• Student Real Talk
  01-19-2023 | 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Massey Boardroom

  An open, frank, and honest dialogue focusing on, but not limited to diversity, equity, and inclusion here at Belmont University as well as nationally and globally. A confidential, safe, and brave space to voice all opinions. Our slogan is: "If you are bold enough to bring it up, then we are bold enough to talk about it." 

  Sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the MLK Celebration Committee. Contact Person: Gary Hunter (gary.hunter@belmont.edu)

Friday, January 20

• Jemar Tisby: Martin Luther King, Jr. Week Lecture: Courageous Christianity- Chapel Address
  01-20-2023 | 10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. | Gabhart Chapel

  There is a great temptation to pretend that the way things are is the way God intends them to be. Dr. Jemar Tisby can help us learn the truth about our compromises with racism, so we are better able to work together to help God’s kingdom come. Dr. Tisby is the New York Times bestselling author of The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism. He has a BA from Notre Dame; M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; PhD in History from the University of Mississippi; and is Professor of History at Simmons College in KY. His latest book is How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice. This program is part of Belmont’s Work Well series, designed to enhance the career readiness of all students.

  Co-sponsored by the MLK Celebration Committee, the Office of the Provost, the College of Theology & Christian Ministry and the Office of Career & Professional Development.

  WELLcore Event

• Luncheon with Dr. Jemar Tisby
  01-20-2023 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Harrington Dining Room

  Sponsored by Office of the Provost and MLK Celebration Committee.

  Contact: Dr. Todd Lake: todd.lake@belmont.edu