Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
In collaboration with partners on campus and in the community, SIUE's Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub hosts a luncheon in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Highlights of the luncheon include keynote speakers, musical performances and the awarding of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards: SIUE Student Scholarship; Humanitarian Award(s); and Youth Essay, Poetry and Visual Arts Contest (for local youth).
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to apply for the awards, outlined in the tabs on this page, throughout the fall semester. Applications are open and will close on November 24, 2024.
We are pleased to announce our keynote speaker for the 42nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is Donzaleigh Abernathy! Ms. Abernathy is the goddaughter of Dr. King, daughter of Rev. Ralph David Abernathy, and an award-winning actress and writer. She is a founding Trustee of the New Visions Foundation/Coalition for Engaged Education and a former Vice President of the Board and New Roads Schools. She was a Spokesperson for the CDC’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Program and for Amnesty International. She currently volunteers for Juveniles in the Los Angeles County Justice System.
This year’s celebration theme is Let Us March On. This theme stems from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech “Our God is Marching On” that he delivered on March 25, 1965 on the steps of the State Capital Building at the conclusion of the Selma to Montgomery march. This 54-mile march had 25,000 participants protesting the racism and oppression that African Americans faced at the polls while exercising their constitutional right to vote.
Tickets to Attend the Celebration
Ticket sales will open on Friday, September 27th, 2024.
Tickets can be purchased individually for $40 each or a table can be purchased for $280. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. More details on sponsorships can be found on the Become a Sponsor tab to the left.
SIUE departments and offices interested in making ticket or table purchases can contact the Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub at MLKCelebration@siue.edu or 618.650.2686.
The 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at 11 a.m. (Doors open at 10:30am)
Sponsorship opportunities for this event are available! Click the tab on the left for more details.
If you have any questions, please email MLKCelebration@siue.edu.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
As part of honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we have a chance to show our local communities what we know is true; SIUE values service and community. Make plans to be part of SIUE's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service!
Plans are being made for service opportunities in all 3 communities where SIUE is located - Alton, East St. Louis, and Edwardsville.
If you are interested in volunteering or having your organization be a host site for the MLK Day of Service, please contact Community Engagement Coordinator, Ashley Jones at SIUEServes@siue.edu.
