Martin Luther King Jr.
Week of Celebration
A Walk Through History – Connecting the Past with the Present
A Week of Virtual Events January 25-29
Join Columbus State in our 31st annual community celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s first-ever virtual celebration expands our traditional day of recognition to a full week of events focused on modern civil rights strategies to further understanding and realization of Dr. King’s vision for equality.
We are honored to welcome civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump as keynote speaker for our signature annual event honoring Dr. King 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, January 27. Known by the nickname “Black America’s Attorney General,” Crump has established himself as one of the nation’s foremost lawyers and advocates for social justice.
Access to all virtual events will be available from this page. Access details will be added as they become available. All events are free of charge and open to the public. (Attendance limits may apply.)
Accommodation Requests: If you need to request a sign language interpreter for any event, please submit your request to interpreterrequest@cscc.edu. To ensure availability, it is important to request interpreting services as soon as possible. If you need to request any other ADA accommodations to attend any event, please contact Michael Hicks, ADA Coordinator, at mhicks25@cscc.edu or via telephone at 614-287-2883.
Counseling Resources: We understand that these are emotional and confrontational topics of discussion. Columbus State has assembled community resources you can turn to for support.
Monday, January 25
As a Matter of Black
Monday, January 25 - 6 pm
Documentary viewing and discussion with filmmaker and community activism storyteller Donte Woods-Spikes. Woods-Spikes is a Columbus State Community College student known for his various forms of work such as professional speaking, documentaries, and most of all his work in communities. Woods-Spikes believes we are all connected through our experiences and stories we share.
Donte Woods-Spikes
Tuesday, January 26
Wellbeing Is a Lifelong Journey
Tuesday, January 26 - 1 pm
Presentation by Dr. Nichole Bowman-Glover, Columbus State Wellness Program coordinator. Dr. Bowman-Glover will discuss the reexamination of past experiences so that you can effectively assess your current roles and relationships. These roles and relationships are what give us a sense of purpose because they keep us engaged in life. We are called to a greater purpose. It is important that we understand how to take care of our wellbeing during this journey.
Dr. Nichole Bowman-Glover
Community Conversation on Equity
Tuesday, January 26 - 7 pm
Recent incidents across the nation and in Columbus have raised many questions about the role of identity, power, and influence in how people are treated within society. Join a panel of Columbus State leaders as they discuss plans for enhancing equity efforts to improve practices and extend support to all community members.
Wednesday, January 27
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Wednesday, January 27 - 10 am
Our annual celebration of Dr. King will feature:
- Welcoming remarks from Columbus State President David T. Harrison
- Musical performances from Unity
- Presentation of the Columbus State 2020 Visionary Dreamer award and the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship
- A conversation and facilitated Q&A featuring keynote speaker Benjamin Crump and Columbus State Chief of Staff Charles W. Noble III
Access to this event has concluded.
Benjamin Crump
Charles Noble III
Student Voices on the Current Climate
Wednesday, January 27 - 6 pm
Join representatives of Columbus State's Black Student Union as they engage in an open discussion on recent events and ultimately consider, "Where do we go from here?" Topics will range from Black Lives Matter to the storming of the nation's Capital, and all that's in between.
Thursday, January 28
Residual Effects of "Financial Trauma" on the Black Community: It's Time To Heal
Thursday, January 28 - Noon
Presentation by Stacy Burke, president and CEO of Restorative Financial Services and The ONIONomics Financial Wellness Program. Burke's curriculum is designed to identify and heal root causes of destructive financial disorders that sabotage our financial health and "mental wealth." However, this workshop goes beyond the individual in exploring how centuries-old unaddressed “financial trauma” has impacted the Black Community and still manifests today.
Stacy Burke
Friday, January 29
Art and Community Activism
Friday, January 29 - 6 pm
Join a diverse group of artists, professionals, educators and researchers as they explore the past, present and future of Art and Community activism. Together, they will explore the passion, purpose and power of Dr. King through curated artistic performances and live group discussion.
Presenters include:
- Dr. Deena Chisolm, health and equity researcher
- Francesca Miller, professional freelance visual artist
- Jeff Wiggins, YouTuber educator
- Nichole Farve-Leavell, founder of the “AmINext.Life” movement
- Quan Howell, national recording artist and featured Columbus Jazz Orchestra singer
- Stefanie Smith, diversity professional
- Dr. Tamara N. Stevenson, educator and DEI professional
- Tamekia MizLadi Smith, the Singing Speaking Poet
- Tifani Kendrick, author/speaker/poet