The 51在线鈥檚 annual celebration of the life and values of Martin Luther King Jr. is underway with the MLK Commemorative Week, which includes a community service project for students, a lecture and a virtual luncheon.
While the pandemic continues to disrupt in-person events, it is not deterring students from participating in the annual Stampede of Service. In previous years, hundreds of students have volunteered for community service projects at various sites across the Tampa Bay region. This week, students can pick up supplies to complete an at-home service project in honor of King.
The grab-and-go project is a no-sew blanket (instructions are included) that will be donated to , which serves families in Hillsborough County. Students are asked to complete their project over the approaching three-day weekend (the university is closed on Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday) and return it for donation the following Monday.
The MLK Commemorative Virtual Luncheon, set for noon on Friday, will feature a YouTube video including pre-recorded guest speakers, film footage and history of USF鈥檚 Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. The guest speaker is Alexis Mootoo, assistant vice president of Resource Management & Development for the Student Success unit of the university and an adjunct instructor in the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies.
The MLK Commemorative Week comes to a close on Thursday, Jan. 21, when the student-run University Lecture Series presents a conversation with activist Angela Davis. The virtual event, open to students, faculty and staff, begins at 7 p.m. It will include a 45-minute moderated conversation and a 15-minute question-and-answer session.
Details about all of the events are available here.
More information about USF鈥檚 commitment to dismantling systemic racism and actively promoting racial equity is available on the university鈥檚 anti-racism website.