VCU news

By Haley Tenore

Honoring a legacy that has grown stronger over time, Virginia Commonwealth University is organizing multiple events from Jan. 16-25 to celebrate the civil rights leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

King, who would have turned 96 on Jan. 15 this year, was assassinated in 1968, and a federal holiday in his name is observed on the third Monday of January each year. VCU’s Division of Community Engagement has scheduled an array of programs for MLK Celebration Week 2025 to promote reflection, education and community participation that draw on principles King championed.

Here are highlights of the week’s events, with more details at MLKday.vcu.edu. (Questions can be emailed to engage@vcu.edu.)

 

Jan. 16 – “The Dream … We Almost Never Heard”

6:30-7:15 p.m., Mary and Frances Youth Center (120 S. Linden St.)

This event features a presentation by Arthur T. Broady and a performance by gospel singer Daphne Jackson. The program will be accessible in person at the center, where a student-led discussion will follow, as well as via Zoom through this WSU link.

Jan. 17 – Fatherhood Mix & Mingle: Engage, Educate, Empower

6-8 p.m., Mary and Frances Youth Center (120 S. Linden St.)

For fathers seeking to learn about raising children into empowered, educated individuals, the event will include workshops and small group discussions. Register here.

Jan. 20 – Celebrate RVA: Birthday Kit Assembly

11:30 a.m., Celebrate RVA (908 Oliver Hill Way)

Individuals can support the nonprofit, which hosts birthday parties for children in underserved communities, by indicating interest in the event via this volunteer form.

Jan. 20 – Beloved Community Walk

2-4 p.m., the Commons (907 Floyd Ave.)

Hosted by VCU and Befriend, participants can share uplifting messages to promote mental well-being and a sense of community.

Jan. 20 – MLK Vigil and Walk

4 p.m., starting at the VCUarts Depot (814 W. Broad St.)

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. will lead a commemorative walk with moments of reflection, unity and remembrance.

Jan 21 – PennyAppeal x VCU PRIME Volunteer Event

7-9 p.m., Honors Multipurpose Room (701 W. Grace St. room 1303)

Help pack bags to donate to homeless communities living in Richmond.

Jan. 21 – Family Night at Oak Avenue

6 p.m., Oak Avenue Complex (15 S. Oak Ave., Highland Springs)

The creativity event features opportunities for self-expression, mindfulness and interaction, led by Richmond artist Justice Dwight.

Jan. 22 – MLK Student Fireside Chat

Time/location TBD

Jan. 23 – MLK Keynote Celebration

5-8 p.m. Institute for Contemporary Art (601 W. Broad St.)

The address will be delivered by John Kinney, director of the Center for African American Pentecostalism and Leadership Development at Virginia Union University. There will also be a performance by the Black Awakening Choir. After the keynote, a fireside chat will feature Carol Adams of the Richmond Police Department, Sean Miller of the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Richmond, and VCU graduate student I-Kamilah Hiwott. Tomika Ferguson, Ph.D., of the VCU School of Education will moderate; she is assistant dean of student affairs and inclusive excellence and is an assistant professor of educational leadership. (Keynote organizers are looking for volunteers to help run the event; they can indicate interest via this volunteer form.)

Jan. 24 – “I Have a Dream” Dream Board Event

4-6 p.m. Honors Multipurpose Room (701 W. Grace St. room 1303)

This event, hosted by VCU P.R.I.M.E., will allow students to create dream boards. The event will provide magazines and other printed materials so volunteers can create collages and visualize their goals. 

Jan. 24 – EMSW Community Conversation

5:30 p.m., VCU Health Hub at 25^th (1330 N. 25th St., Suite A)

This event will connect King’s legacy to the East Marshall Street Well Project, which addresses the discovery of human remains and artifacts from the 19th century in an abandoned well on the MCV Campus in 1994.

Jan. 25 – VCU Health System Walk

4-6 p.m., starting at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (1000 E. Broad St.)

Programming will follow at the Kontos Medical Sciences Building (1250 E. Marshall St.)

Ongoing – 7 City Shoe Drive for Winter’s Place

During MLK Celebration Week 2025, the 7 City Shoe Drive will collect shoes for children and families in need, with collection boxes on both campuses. Volunteers can sign up via this form to help donors find collection boxes and coordinate with Winter’s Place to pick up donated shoes.

Ongoing – MLK Essay Contest

In this collaboration with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, young writers can reflect on the impact of MLK’s advocacy work and why it still matters today. Winners will be selected before a celebration event that will recognize their work

 

VCU MLK Celebration Week is also helping to shine a spotlight on a variety of community events. These events include volunteer opportunities, a celebration of Black music in film at the Richmond Symphony and the 47th Annual MLK Community Leaders Breakfast.

Visit mlkday.vcu.edu/community-events/ to learn more about MLK Celebration Week’s community events.