Additional Resources to Read or Watch
СÓÅÊÓƵ is kicking off a series of featured events to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. beginning Jan. 21 with ODEI's Welcome Back Kickback from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.Ìý on Jan. 30, ODEI and Campus Partners will host the MLK Celebration from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., and on Feb. 1, PEACE will host their Annual Day of Service from 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the Music Room.
Schedule of Events:
Jan. 21 - ODEI's Welcome Back Kickback 9 a.m. -4 p.m.
Join us in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as we start the week honoring Martin Luther King,ÌýJr. 's legacy through a gallery walk of historical images, an 'I Have a Dream' Social Media campaign and lunch.Ìý Games, fun and a chance to win prizes!
Jan. 30 - MLK Celebration 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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In honor of the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion welcomes you to join us for our annual MLK Jr. Celebration to commemorate his societal impact and reflect on our progress as an institution. Together, we will engage in a day of immersive reflection, experiential learning and community dialogue around key social issues and the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our local context, with a key focus around how we can use our own social capital to be agents of change towards the world we wish to see.
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8:30-9:30 a.m. - Breakfast (Vaughn Center Crescent Club)
- Doors open at 8 a.m.
- Welcome 8:30 a.m.
- Setting the Stage with Fred Hearns (bio below) 8:40 a.m.
- Spoken Word with Gemini Fox Poetry (bio below) 8:55 a.m.
- Closing remarks 9:10 a.m.
- Exit to VC Courtyard 9:30 a.m.
9:30-11:30 a.m. - Community Tabling (Vaughn Courtyard)
- Equality Photobooth Pledge Wall:ÌýParticipants will write a pledge about how they will promote equality in their daily lives. After writing a short pledge they can snap a Polaroid pic (optional) and add their picture and pledge to the wall.
- Threads of Justice: Bracelet-Making:ÌýParticipants will build their own bracelets using different colored beads, with each bead representing a pillar of Martin Luther King Jr.'s mission and vision. Leave with a unique piece catered to your vision for the future!
- Pinning for Peace: Button-Making:ÌýParticipants will create custom buttons with pre-made positivity messages or design their own image to put inside their button.
- Community Compassion Cards:ÌýParticipants will create "Compassion Cards" with messages or decorative images of encouragement, love and kindness to be distributed to local community organizations.Ìý Follow a prompt or write your own message.
- "Be the Change" Service Sign Up:ÌýParticipants will have the opportunity to sign up to partner with local organizations' community service opportunities.
- "I Have a Dream" Vision Boarding:ÌýParticipants will create a vision board highlighting their individual dreams or dreams for a more just, equitable and united world and СÓÅÊÓƵampa campus community.
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Luncheon (Vaughn Center Crescent Club)
- Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
- Welcome 11:50 a.m.
- Keynote with Gary Hartfield (bio below) 12:00 p.m.
- Community Call to Action 12:25 p.m.
- Closing remarks 12:50 p.m.
In partnership with the offices of Development, Residence Life, and Student Leadership and Engagement, the College of Arts and Letters and СÓÅÊÓƵampa Student Government.
Presenter Bios
Fred Hearns — a Tampa resident and University of South Florida graduate — has had a distinguished career as a journalist and public servant, including a 32-year tenure with the City of Tampa’s Department of Community Affairs. Currently, as Curator of Black History at the Tampa Bay History Center, he is dedicated to preserving and sharing African American history through exhibits, programs and leadership in various community organizations.
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Gary Hartfield is an award-winning entrepreneur, CEO and philanthropist leading several businesses, including six residential group homes and Serenity Village Insurance & Consulting, which serves clients across Florida and Georgia. A dedicated community leader, he also serves as CEO of Empower Florida, Inc. and contributes to numerous boards, while being recognized for his impact on business and nonprofit sectors in Florida.
Born Stephanie Jackson, Gemini Fox is the love child of Dr. Seuss and Maya Angelou. She speaks in parables and sea water runs through her veins. Using her work as a tool that unites others through common experiences, Gemini is a keen wielder of raw emotion. Her goal as an artist is to be a voice for the voiceless, believing that poetry can be found in everything. She uses her poems to foster healing, understanding, and create connections. She is an active member of the GrowHouse Tampa Artist Collective.Ìý
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PEACE Day of Service
Join the PEACE Volunteer Center on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, for our annual MLK Day of Service! A guest speaker, catered food and volunteer opportunities will be available with local nonprofits in the Tampa Bay area!
8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Music Room
