While Bunker Hill Community College observes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 16, 2023, we will be exploring the life and legacy of the Civil Rights leader throughout the month with a series of online and in person events.

Series Introduction

MLK, Jr. fought against division and had communities of kindness and understanding as a goal. He demonstrated peace in the face of violence, resilience, and courage in his fight against injustice. Our goal through this programming series is to encourage Bunker Hill Community College students, faculty, staff, and community partners to build upon the legacy of social justice, leadership, scholarship, and non-violent activism of Martin Luther King Jr. By embracing multimedia, inviting diverse voices, and sharing our visions for an inclusive, beloved community, this programming series encourages participants to pick up the torch to make MLK Jr.'s dream our reality. This project is a collaboration between the Office of the Associate Provost-Charlestown and the Office of College Events and Cultural Planning.  

January 13 at 1 p.m. at the Boston Common
"The Embrace Statue" Unveiling Ceremony

Embrace Boston created a living memorial and programs honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King and their time and work together in Boston. The monument is intended to inspire visitors to reflect on the values of racial and economic justice that both espoused. Embrace Boston envisions an inclusive and equitable Boston for all through the memorial and related programming.

Bunker Hill Community College is invited to attend the unveiling. 

https://www.embraceboston.org/events/the-unveiling-of-the-embrace

https://www.embraceboston.org/memorial

January 23- January 31, Online and B and E Lobby Video Monitors
Martin Luther King, Jr: Been To The Mountaintop

Seen and heard in this original footage are the highlights of dramatic speeches and conversations spanning 1956 to 1968, including his last address on April 3, 1968, the night before his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee.

Throughout MLK week and the week before Black History Month, we will display and play on a loop MLK speeches and images on a monitor in the B and E lounges.

Voices on King: A Celebration of MLK Day, Embrace Boston, August 2022 

A 30-minute film on the thoughts and reflections from seven Boston area leaders on the Black Boston that exists and thrives today while lifting the importance of memorials and landmarks in the city. Join in at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBdP7Igsrdc  

January 24 at 1:15 p.m., Online via Zoom
A Visit with Justice: Discussion on Dr. King's Letter from Birmingham City Jail

Justice is socially constructed, man-made, and natural. However, for Dr. King, justice is ontological, divine, and tension oriented. This presentation discusses Dr. King's April 16, 1963 Letter written when he was arrested and jailed during a civil rights protest in Birmingham. It is an analysis of some of the arguments Dr. King advanced that were central to the civil rights movement and the passing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act in the United States. This presentation explores the Letter's relevance considering its fundamental goal: the need for social change in the United States. However, it is essential to note that Dr. King's assertion of social change in this Letter was defined within what he considers: "the 'Gospel of Freedom." This presentation explores Dr. King's approach to asserting the claims of the "Gospel of Freedom" in relation to the 21st-century assertion for social change.

Facilitated by: Dr. George Walters-Sleyon     

Join by Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4239352966?pwd=TXVjUXE5MTZXd1YxSTIvTmc2YXYyQT09
Meeting # 423 935 2966
Security Passcode 369455

January 24 at 6 p.m., Online via Zoom
A Tribute to Dr. Coretta Scott King

Women Civil Rights activists were critical to the movement and pushed MLK's dream forward. Dr. Coretta Scott King, in particular, was a "real soldier" (MLK 1968). The speeches she delivered, and the crucial time in which she delivered those speeches, cemented the King family's legacy and carried the fight for justice. This choreopoem of speeches, music, poetry and archival footage honors her campaign for global peace and racial and social justice. This performance is in collaboration with Xavier University of Louisiana students. Join us to learn more about Dr. Coretta Scott King and celebrate her incredible legacy!

Facilitated by: Dr. Ayshia Mackie-Stephensen

Join by Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85258638176?pwd=Y1hXTkRNSjlHUDBWclFtYURPczEvdz09 
Meeting ID: 852 5863 8176
Passcode: 970306
Dial by location: +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 852 5863 8176
Passcode: 970306

January 30 at 6 p.m., Online via Zoom
The Life and Times of Bayard Rustin

One of the close advisors of MLK and principal architects of the March on Washington, Rustin was instrumental in the organization of Marches in the 50s and 60s. The life, times, and historical contributions of Bayard Rustin have not been explored and given adequate credit for his contribution to the movement. This could be because he was a gay man affiliated with the Communist Party. President Obama awarded him the Congressional Medal of Freedom posthumously for his contribution to the movement. The presenter will walk us through the life and times of Bayard Rustin. 

Facilitated by: Lee Santos Silva, Director, Center for Equity and Cultural Wealth  

Join by Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89821756850?pwd=SDk0K2JRYzFueXlnNnJjbmNSKzlXUT09
Meeting ID: 898 2175 6850
Passcode: 504486
Dial by location: +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 898 2175 6850
Passcode: 504486

February 1 at 6 p.m. Online via Zoom In collaboration with the 2023 BHCC Black History Month
Embracing King’s Legacy

Engage with the mission and objectives of Embrace Boston, the vision of The Embrace Memorial, Embrace Ideas, and the new Center for Economic Justice. Q & A to follow the presentation.

Welcome by Denise Turner, Manager, the Office of College Events and Cultural Planning
Facilitated by: Camila de la Vega Maldonado, Executive Manager & Special Projects, Embrace Boston

Join by Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85606213523?pwd=dVNSRDFBMFV5UEsvazgrUlBXM2k3dz09
Meeting ID: 856 0621 3523
Passcode: 004409
Dial by location: +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 856 0621 3523
Passcode: 004409

February 2 at 6 p.m. Online via Zoom In collaboration with the 2023 BHCC Black History Month
Legacy of Love

A 30-minute documentary about MLK, Jr. and Coretta Scott King produced by Roberto Mighty. Join in on this watch party and conversation with the Boston filmmaker as this documentary brings to light the mostly unknown story of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott's formative years in 1950s Boston, where they met as students, fell in love and started on their journey toward becoming iconic leaders in the civil rights movement. Film introduction by Roberto. Q & A will follow the screening.

Welcome by Denise Turner, Manager, the Office of College Events and Cultural Planning

Facilitated by Roberto Mighty, MFA, Founder and Principal of Celestial Media LLC.

Join by Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82795854612?pwd=dHF2aGNDbmk5dXpaRGNNK3llT0NuQT09Meeting ID: 827 9585 4612
Passcode: 549837
Dial by location: +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 827 9585 4612
Passcode: 549837