Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
Jan. 12, 2026
Dear Brandeis Community,
We are honored to announce our celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. According to Britannica, “Beginning in 1970, a number of states and cities made his birthday, January 15, a holiday. Although legislation for a federal holiday was introduced in Congress as early as 1968, there was sufficient opposition, on racial and political grounds, to block its passage. In 1983 legislation making the third Monday in January a federal holiday finally was passed, and the first observance nationwide was in 1986. The day is usually celebrated with marches and parades and with speeches by civil rights and political leaders.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. began his journey for justice in his community. With the support of his wife, Coretta Scott King, he embarked on a journey of care about the plight of people all over the world. He, and many others inspired by him, fought for civil rights for Black people and other marginalized communities. Though he was taken from the world too soon in a violent act, his legacy embodies community, and his words and dreams are alive with us today. We can apply them and determine how they resonate with our lives.
Brandeis’ annual celebration and remembrance of Dr. King will be held on Friday, January 16 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the Shapiro Campus Center Multipurpose Room, and our theme this year is Voices and Progression. Everyone is welcome to join us to hear keynote speaker Dr. Shoniqua Roach, and student speaker Zaire Simmonds ’26, who will provide words of inspiration. Food and drink will be provided.
In addition, our university archives and additional resources offer insight into Brandeis University’s special connection with Dr. King:
- When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Brandeis: Justice Without Violence lecture – April 3, 1957
- Dr. King made three visits to Brandeis in 1956, 1957, and 1963 which are documented in the Lynn Goldsmith Papers: The Diary and Papers of a Young Civil Rights Worker – Brandeis Library's Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections.
We are also proud of our Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellowship Program which highlights scholarship and community service.
In Community,
Taisha White
Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Leadership, Student Engagement, Student Affairs
Karl LaClair
Chaplain and Coordinator of Christian Life, Center for Spiritual Life, Student Affairs
Lee Bitsóí
Vice Provost for Access and Excellence