Capital hosted the 33rd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Learning on Jan. 15, 2024. The event serves as a beacon of commitment to social justice and equality. An integral part of campus, this year’s event welcomed students, staff, faculty, and community members to celebrate “Courage in Community.”
When I think about the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s commitment to the MLK Day of Learning, I think about the legacy of the event. Knowing the long history, and that this year was the 33rd, I wanted to make sure that in leading this event, I honored the work of those that have come before me. MLK Day is a day that is celebrated in many capacities in many places, but I love the way that Capital approaches it,” said Mikayla Carter, associate director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
“I think the best part of the planning team is how many backgrounds and areas of expertise the group brings to the table. I feel that I approach the event with the recognition that this work cannot get done without everyone’s contributions. It is very important to me that those on the planning committee feel that they are taking an active role, and that their experiences with this specific event, or other similar ones, are honored.”
Led by Carter and Sidney Childs, Ed.D., interim Chief Diversity Officer, the 2024 planning committee was comprised of more than 45 volunteers, including staff, students, and faculty, all bringing their unique talents and experiences to the day.
“I was motivated to volunteer for this program because social justice is everyone’s responsibility. Not one office or person can be responsible for an event of this magnitude. I really enjoy working with such a committed group of people across campus who are working toward one common goal,” said Jennifer Adams, M.A., director of The Center for Global Education.
“Capital’s MLK Day of Learning came from student leadership over 33 years ago. It was the voice of Student Government with Ebony Brotherhood, coupled with the steady leadership coming from the Office of Multicultural Affairs, now the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, that has grown this program to the event it is now. I am proud to be a part of this collective.”
Through his connections in the community, Robert Fleming, executive administrative assistant, Business and Finance, has played a pivotal role in expanding the event’s reach and ensuring its ongoing impact.
“Since the initial ask of singing the Black National Anthem for MLK Day, that led to other opportunities as being the advisor to the Capital University Voices of Praise Gospel Choir,” said Fleming. “We began singing for this event and that led to me pulling in resources from the faith-based community to join in and help with our celebration.”
Open to the community, Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Learning at Capital is meant to be a powerful day brimming with inspiration, profound reflection, and active community engagement, paying homage to the impactful teachings of Dr. King.
“It is a day on, not a day off. It represents a continued struggle to end institutional racism in all its forms and to embrace equity and to celebrate diversity in all its forms,” said Jennifer Kelly, Ph.D., dean, School of Education. Kelly was the inaugural winner of the Inclusive Excellence Leadership Award.
“It is a day on campus where I see people who look like me. As one of a handful of black faculty and staff of color on campus, it is a day where the community comes out to Capital to share in the benefits of free workshops, a great speaker, and empowering conversations. The sense of pride that the community feels when they step on this campus is energizing and affirming for me as a faculty member, as well as them.”
On MLK Day of Learning, volunteers and committee members assembled 60 household supply kits for Star House Columbus. Star House will share the kits with their clients, who are unhoused teens. The outreach coordinator, Naima Ilmi ‘18, a Capital Social Work graduate, presented a Day of Learning workshop that was well attended by the community and others. Following her presentation, the attendees assembled the kits.
In late January, 178 handmade winter hats were delivered to Ohio Avenue Elementary School. The Special Education coordinator, Kristin Pease, whose children went to Capital, presented the hats to the school. The students were so excited, telling her which hat they wanted and asking when they got to take them home!
A special thank you to the MLK Day of Learning organizers and volunteers who helped put together kits and hats!