The University’s full schedule of events includes many opportunities to engage with King’s legacy
Belmont University recently announced its 2018 Commemorative MLK Week Schedule, a series of events held each year in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s events are focused on “A View From the Mountaintop.” A Keynote Address will be given by Devon Franklin at the 2018 MLK Breakfast held on Friday, January 8 at 7:30 a.m. Franklin, the author of The Hollywood Commandments: A Spiritual Guide to Secular Success, will discuss his career as an award-winning film and TV producer, New York Times best-selling author, international speaker and spiritual success coach. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.
The University’s MLK Week celebrations will continue with many events that are open to the public. These include:
- Friday, January 12 at 10 a.m. – Franklin will continue his time on campus with a special Chapel service held in the Massey Performing Arts Center. This unique chapel presentation will allow the Belmont community to interact with Franklin in an engaging way.
- Friday, January 12 at 11 a.m. – A limited number of Franklin’s book copies will be available for purchase at a book signing in the Massey Performing Arts Center Lobby.
- Monday, January 15 at 7 p.m. – A Candlelight Vigil will be held in Gabhart A & B. Join Belmont students, staff and faculty, and walk in procession across campus to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King.
- Wednesday, January 17 at 10 a.m. – A convocation, titled “Belmont State of Mind Update: Charting Belmont’s Course to the Mountaintop,” will be held in the Massey Business Center.
- Wednesday, January 17 at 10 a.m. – The MLK Commemoration Chapel will be held in the Janet Ayers Academic Center Chapel. This event will allow participants to watch a brief documentary about the Civil Rights Movement narrated by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Wednesday, January 17 at 6 p.m. – The MLK Workship Service with BSA will feature Belmont alumna Ashley Love Phillips. This will be held in the Janet Ayers Academic Center Chapel.
- Friday, January 19 at 10 a.m. – “What kind of work is it going to take to get to the mountaintop?” will be presented by Nashville Pastor John Faison. This event will be held in the Janet Ayers Academic Center Chapel.
- Friday, January 19 at 6 p.m. – A Movie Night will feature “I Am Not Your Negro” in the Johnson Center Theater.
Director of Bridges to Belmont and the Office of Multicultural Learning and Engagement said, “We are excited to have DeVon Franklin on campus. This is a unique series of events is something new for Belmont & the MLK Celebration. He is such a dynamic speaker. In addition to that, his professional background & experience will make for an incredible start to our MLK Celebration.”
In addition to campus programs, Belmont students will join students from other Nashville universities on January 13 for the MLK Joint Day of Service. Participants from Fisk, Lipscomb, Meharry, Nashville State, Tennessee State, Trevecca and Vanderbilt will donate their time to serve the Middle TN area and beyond by sorting food at Second Harvest Food Bank, Feed the Children and a sweet potato drop, working in urban gardens including the Trevecca Urban Farm, Johnson School and The Nashville Food Project, packing 10,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger, walking shelter dogs with Tails of the Trail and sorting donations at Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. Students interested in participating can click here.
The University’s MLK Commemorative Committee, responsible for planning and executing the week, was joined by many partners to support and host this year’s programming including Bridges to Belmont, the Office of Multicultural Learning & Experience, the Center for Social Entrepreneurship, the Office of Spiritual Development, the Office of University Counsel, the College of Law, University Ministries, the Teaching Center, the Welcome Home Diversity Council, the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Service Learning, the Black Student Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Belmont’s Student Government Association.
