Rhodes College commemorates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. And whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. For some strange reason I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the way God's universe is made; this is the way it is structured."
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. committed his life to the pursuit of a more inclusive, just, and equitable society and encouraged us to be engaged in transformative service that combats structural injustice. Please join the Inclusive Excellence Leadership Council for a weeklong series of events and activities commemorating Dr. King's life and legacy. We will explore our connection and responsibility to each other, our community, Memphis, and beyond. Our commemoration will incorporate opportunities to engage in service, self-reflection, and discussion; strengthen our partnerships with our surrounding neighborhoods and communities; reflect on the words of Dr. King; and renew our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice at Rhodes. The schedule is below:
Rhodes College is closed in observance of Dr. King’s Birthday. We encourage you to do service on your own in his honor. Volunteer Odyssey has several MLK days of service: MLK Days of Service | Volunteer & Celebrate!. Rhodes Engage has a list of service opportunities for the Rhodes community, and The Bonner Center for Service has provided a guide for self-reflection.
The National Civil Rights Museum presents Community Over Chaos: King Day 2025. There is free admission to the museum for this all-day event. The museum asks that you register if you plan to attend in person or virtually; register here.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Exhibit
All Day, Paul Barret, Jr. Library
In commemoration of MLK Week, Barret Library is showcasing the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the exhibit area of the library. The library invites the community to visit and explore the exhibit, which highlights his unwavering commitment to nonviolent activism and his fight for the rights of African Americans. The exhibit will run from January 15 to January 31, 2025. Feel free to contact Barret Library staff at help@rhodes.edu or by phone at 901-843-3890 for additional information.
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Strategies (IDEAS) Forum for Faculty and Staff: DEIB in Action at Rhodes!
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., The Spence Wilson Room, Briggs Hall
Facilitated by the Inclusive Excellence Leadership Council, we will hear from three members of our community who will discuss inclusive excellence programs currently underway at Rhodes. We will then engage in a discussion regarding next steps and programs the community would like to see.
Elin Ovrebo, Director of Education Abroad/Away, The Buckman Center
Rhodes Less Travelled: Access and Inclusion in International Education
Inez Warner, Director of Institutional Equity and Title IX Coordinator
How Can I, as a Community Member, Support The Mission?
Vanessa Rogers, Associate Professor of Music
The Fourth Bluff: Memphis and the Chickasaw Nation
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Catherine Burrow Refectory
Students participating in The Laurence F. Kinney Program will be at tables in the refectory to promote the program and recruit new students. They will spotlight Kinney's impact areas, share service opportunities, and highlight community partners.
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Kinney students will livestream on IG as they ride around campus and ‘pop-up’ on students offering donuts and treats as they share the Kinney story and promote sign-up. The Lair is the weather plan.
Courageous Dialogue
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in Briggs Hall 108
Belonging is a Big Diehl invites you to participate in Courageous Dialogue. Courageous Dialogue is an in-person program that helps participants practice the skills and principles of effective communication in order to have conversations that matter
Kinney Call-Out
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Catherine Burrow Refectory
Students participating in The Laurence F. Kinney Program will be at tables in the refectory to recruit new students. They will spotlight Kinney's impact areas, share service opportunities, and highlight community partners.
Kinney Call-Out
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Catherine Burrow Refectory
Students participating in The Laurence F. Kinney Program will be at tables in the refectory to promote the program and recruit new students. They will spotlight Kinney's impact areas, share service opportunities, and highlight community partners.
Instagram Mic’d Up
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Kinney students will livestream on IG as they ride around campus and ‘pop-up’ on students offering donuts and treats as they share the Kinney story and promote sign-up. The Lair is the weather plan.
Kinney Cookie Party
11:30 am – 1:30 pm, Hyde Hall, The Catherine Burrow Refectory
Kinney students will host a culminating cookie-decorating party
MLK Week Resources
Future Events
Collage Dance Company’s Spring performance, Their Eyes Were Watching God and Rise. The Office of Institutional Equity will sponsor student tickets on a first-come, first-served basis; tickets will be available for Saturday, February 1 (2:30 pm) and Sunday, February 2 (2:30 pm) performances.
Reserve tickets by sending an email to warneri@rhodes.edu . Please include the performance date you wish to attend. One ticket per student.
