America is really Turtle Island! with Mr. Higgins ’92

Did you know that some Indigenous people refer to the land many people call the “United States of America” or the USA" as "Turtle Island"? Do you know why? In his 1963 book Why We Can’t Wait, Dr. King wrote that: “Our nation was born in genocide when it embraced the doctrine that the original American, the Indian, was an inferior race….the scar of racial hatred…disfigured colonial society.” Join Mr. Higgins ’92 for this breakout session as he shares what he learned in a POCC session on indigenous peoples. You will come away from this session with more expansive perspectives on Indigenous and First Nation peoples who called this land home long before settlers took over. 

Soul Deep: Climbing Higher! with Mr. Olson

Although Dr. King wasn’t a star athlete, his legacy continues to inspire and impact the world of sports. Join Mr. Olson to watch a fifteen-minute film about rock climbing! Virtually visit south Memphis, TN, and explore how Memphis Rox, a rock climbing gym, introduces climbing to people across cultural, racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds to foster community. Then join in a discussion about how people of all ages who are not normally able to access what it means to climb (both inside and outside) are, at the same time, doing more than just learning to climb!

Identity: Holding Space/Coming to Voice! with Ms. Garner and Ms. Howard ’09

Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement engaged the practice and philosophy of nonviolence to actively encourage humanity to live up to the best that we can be. It might seem obvious but it helps to begin to think through who we are and how our different and multiple identities impact how we experience the world. What are all the different bits and pieces that make up who we are? Join Ms. Garner and Ms. Howard ’09 to share your thoughts about how we can harness our response to these kinds of questions in order to generate empathy for people we may not share connections with — such that we are ultimately able to create true Belonging, or what Dr. King popularized as “the Beloved community!” 

Dr. King’s Dream! with members of the Diversity Committee, Student Council

During the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King supported young people of all ages receiving training and education in how to exercise protesting to secure their civil rights. He also knew self-reflection was a critical element of learning. Join Student Council’s Diversity Committee to listen and think through why and how Dr. King’s legacy remains relevant to our current generation in multiple ways. While we all come from different backgrounds and perspectives, we will ask ourselves how we can emulate some of his beliefs and actions using compassion, morality, and nonviolence to advocate for causes that we are passionate about!

MLK & the AAPI community! with Michelle Teh, Audrey Yip, and Ms. Yuna Hur

Although MLK is often celebrated for how he contributed to great advances for African Americans (AA) through spearheading the Civil Rights Movement, his work also paved the way for other persons of color in terms of equality in the United States – including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI)! The mutual support of AAPI and AA is one grounded in a rich history, so we should also take the time to celebrate this solidarity. 

Allies and A Call to Action! with Emily Amador and Ms. Newhouse

The Civil Rights Movement, sometimes called the Southern Freedom Rights Movement, was conceived and led by Black people. Yet the multi-varied participation and support of people from a variety of racial-ethnic, class, and religious backgrounds was critical. These people were allies and accomplices/co-conspirators who joined in, often at risk to their livelihood and even their very lives! While you don’t have to go that last route, come learn about what it means to be an ally and/or an accomplice supporting the work of building what Dr. King popularized as “the Beloved community.” Learn to get in where you fit in…there’s room for all to contribute something in the work of justice!

MLK Day Keynote Speaker Meet and Greet: Yaa Boakye ’07 with Dr. Matabane, and Mr. Diniz ’88

After you watch our keynote speaker’s recording, come meet and greet Yaa Boakye! Join her for a more in-depth conversation about her Stevenson experience and how she engages entrepreneurship in service of living her best life (which Dr. King also wanted us to do) and in service to others (as we definitely know Dr. King wanted us to do).