Centering Black Lives:
Various movements,
One purpose.
Join us in understanding the past, educating the present, and moving toward the betterment of Black communities.
MLK Day Events
Friday, January 13, 2023
11:05 a.m. – 11:40 p.m. | Echoes of the Past
Location: Stetson Chapel
Open to the public
Echoes of the Past weaves in and out of history to explore the turning points in the lives of five African and African American women of remarkable strength and courage. Each character comes with a concise background and narrative along with subtle costume pieces to set the stage. This dramatic performance takes a look at what it has been like to be black and female over a time span of 150 years.
Please use this live stream link for both for Maxine Maxwell and Dr. Jonathan Gayles.
4:30-6:30 p.m. | Understanding Race and Racism in U.S. History
Location: TBD
Open to K and KVCC international students only
Sponsored by the CIP. Understanding Race and Racism in U.S. History includes a racialization workshop for International Students. Please note that transportation is provided.
9 p.m. | Wakanda Forever Movie Showing
Location: Dalton Theatre
Open to K and KVCC students only
Sponsored by the Kalamazoo College Office of Student Activities
Monday, January 16, 2023
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Wakanda: Imagining Black Past and Futures
Location: Dalton Theater
Open to the public
In this presentation, Dr. Gayles engages the history of Wakanda and the Black Panther across a number of media, including comic books and film. With an Afrofuturist lens, he uses images and video to challenge the audience to consider the power of media that center Black life. He also considers the potential shortcomings of Wakanda that reflect continuing tensions around the articulation and understanding of Black life – even in imagined spaces. Please use this live stream link for both for Maxine Maxwell and Dr. Jonathan Gayles.
12:30-1:30 p.m. | Afternoon Lunch Discussion with Dr. Gayles
Location: Hicks Banquet Hall
Open to K Students and Faculty only. Must RSVP at the following link before Friday, January 13 at noon.
3:30 p.m. | City March
Location: TBD
Open to public. Please note that transportation is provided. This annual march is organized by the city of Kalamazoo.
