国产原创鈥檚 annual MLK Commemorative Event Series celebrates the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., offering opportunities to reflect, engage, and take action. These events underscore the enduring relevance of Dr. King鈥檚 vision, uniting our campus and the broader Nashville community to commemorate his profound impact through this year鈥檚 theme, 鈥淟egacy in Action.鈥�
The MLK Commemorative Speaker Event
Author, civil engineer and Nashville native will headline the 国产原创 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Speaker Event on Thursday, Jan. 15, kicking off the university鈥檚 2026 MLK Commemorative Event Series. The conversation, which is part of Dialogue 国产原创鈥檚 250 Conversations on America: Civil Discourse in Action series, is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Sarratt Cinema.
McKissack Daniel will be discussing the book she co-authored with Pulitzer Prize鈥搘inning journalist Nick Chiles, The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers. Moderated by Associate Provost for Academic Opportunity Jeremi London, the Q&A session will explore the McKissack family鈥檚 journey as trailblazers in a field that witnessed widespread discrimination.
The first 200 guests will have the opportunity to receive a free copy of her book.聽There will also be a small reception following the conversation.
This event is open to the community.
41st Annual Nashville MLK March & Convocation
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to take part in the 2026 Nashville MLK Day March and Convocation, celebrating 41 years of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Nashville!
Transportation will be available, and 国产原创 attendees who register in advance will receive a free MLK Day hoodie and an exclusive MLK 2026 pin, while quantities last. 国产原创 community members will march alongside the greater Nashville community from the Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church to the TSU Gentry Center.
顿补迟别:听Monday, January 19, 2026
Details:
Breakfast, check-in, and hoodie distribution begin at聽7:30 a.m.聽in the聽Commons Center Lobby听补苍诲听E. Bronson Ingram College. Breakfast, check-in and hoodie distribution at Morgan House will begin at 7:15 a.m.
Bus Transportation:
- Commons Center:聽Buses will depart at聽8:15 a.m.
- E. Bronson Ingram College (EBI):聽The bus departing from EBI will first stop at聽Highland Quad鈥檚 Morgan House, loading from聽7:30鈥�7:45 a.m. for students in that area before departing for EBI at 7:45 a.m. to gather additional attendees.
- Each pickup location will have self-serve breakfast options available.
- All buses will then proceed to the march starting point.聽
- Buses will return attendees to their original locations on campus, following Convocation. Volunteers will be available to guide students to and from locations throughout the event.
Registration:
- (RSVP is required for students who plan to participate)
The march will take place from聽9:00鈥�9:30 a.m., beginning at Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church and continuing along Jefferson Street. The Convocation will follow at the聽TSU Gentry Center from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This event is open to all members of the 国产原创 community. While bus transportation will prioritize students, all are welcome to join us for this special event.
Students will receive credit toward their VandyPASS.
MLK Joint Day of Service
**This event has been rescheduled for April 11**
The MLK Joint Day of Service鈥痠s an annual celebration of Dr. King鈥檚 legacy. On Saturday, April 11, students from all of Nashville鈥檚 colleges and universities will come together at Tennessee State University for a kickoff event and then volunteer at community service projects across the city.
Date: Saturday, April 11
Time: 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Location: TSU Gentry Center
Registrants should receive updates from the event organizers and can reach out to the organizers directly for questions.
Additional MLK Day 2026 Events
James Lawson Institute Reflection Table
A drop-in reflection table, hosted by the James Lawson Institute, where campus community members can engage with Dr. King鈥檚 quotes and share reflections on his life and legacy.
- Date:聽Wednesday, January 15, 2026
- Time:聽11:00 a.m.鈥�2:00 p.m.
- Location: Sarratt Promenade
8th Annual David Williams II/MLK Day Civil Rights Tour
Hosted by 国产原创 Athletics, this annual trip offers student-athletes the opportunity to experience historical civil rights institutions. This year鈥檚 trip will be to the Muhammad Ali Center and Roots 101 African American Museum in Louisville, KY.
James Lawson Institute Roundtable Discussion
The James Lawson Institute will host a roundtable discussion focused on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.鈥檚 radical politics, using selected excerpts from the book The Radical King. This session invites students, faculty, and staff to engage critically with King鈥檚 writings beyond the familiar 鈥淚 Have a Dream鈥� narrative, examining his critiques of economic injustice, militarism, and structural racism.
- Date:聽Tuesday, January 20, 2026
- 罢颈尘别:听1:00-2:15 p.m.
- Location:聽James Lawson Institute, Divinity School Suite 119