Participate in a food drive to celebrate MLK Day
A holographic video presentation and a food drive are part of the weeklong celebration of the holiday.
The university is honoring the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. during a week of community engagement and service from Jan. 20-24. The efforts are being organized by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, African American Student Affairs and the Department of Digital Humanities.
Thomas Harris, Senior Director of Inclusive Learning and Engagement, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Members of the campus community are invited to visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center at 1322 E. First Street, view a new mural on the north side of the building and participate in a food drive supporting Black students.
The mural, designed by Tucson-based artist Nolan Patterson with input from students and unveiled in December, features a bright and colorful illustration of Black student life set against a desert backdrop and featuring the quote "To choose joy is to find freedom." A sign in front of the mural will contain a QR code that participants can scan to see a holographic video featuring student reflections on Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy.
African American Student Affairs will also be collecting donations of non-perishable food items and grocery store gift cards for its pop-up pantry in Room 207 of the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center, where students can access groceries free of charge. Items can be dropped off at the building's main entrance during the following times.
- Monday, Jan. 20: 9 a.m.-noon
- Tuesday, Jan. 21: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 22: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 23: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Friday, Jan. 24: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
"We are thrilled to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through engagement and service at the MLK building," said Thomas Harris, senior director of inclusive learning and engagement in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. "The university community can learn about the MLK building's impact on Black students and contribute to the fight against food insecurity by donating to the AASA pantry. We look forward to everyone's support and participation in this important initiative."
The university's African American Cultural Resource Center was established in 1991 in the former Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity building, which was later renamed the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center.