By Kyle Jackson
Grand Rapids Community College is continuing to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through a week of reflection, service dialog and community-building culminating in a tri-college “Call to Courageous Community Action” Wealthy Theater on Monday Jan. 19.
First becoming a federal holiday in the 1980s, MLK Day is a time to reflect on the Civil Rights Movement and King’s contributions in the fight for racial equality. To honor this, GRCC’s Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs have planned a series of events for students to participate in and build community.
These free events all center around giving back to the community and fostering a better understanding of the Civil Rights Movement.
GRCC community members gathered at the Raider Grill on Jan. 13 to decorate bags for Kids Food Basket and festivities continue today (Jan. 14) at 11:30 a.m. with a screening of “One Night in Miami” at the ATC auditorium in room 168 followed by a discussion about the film at 1:30 p.m.
On Thursday, Jan. 15, Dar Mayweather, a full-time Lecturer in the Leadership Studies Minor in the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, will be the guest speaker at a 11 a.m. brunch in ATC room 122/124 followed by an 11:30 a.m. presentation in the ATC auditorium room 168. This event will be livestreamed.
These events are inspired by The King Center’s 2026 theme, Mission Possible II: Building Community, in order to highlight this year’s focus of collaboration.
Nygil Likely, the Vice President for People, Culture and Equity at GRCC, stated on a GRCC overview of Legacy Week, “For 40 years, this tri-campus collaboration has exemplified a shared commitment to Dr. King’s legacy, said Likely. “This anniversary is not just a look back, but a clear call to action for every neighbor, leader, student and family to define their legacy by committing to service and standing up for justice, equality and peace.”
The week of activities will wrap up with a combined celebration hosted by GRCC, Grand Valley State University, and Davenport University for the 40th annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration at 6 p.m. on Jan. 19 at Wealthy Street Theater, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, in Grand Rapids. The speakers at the panel consist of the Superintendent of Schools Leadriane Roby, founder of Life Quest, Jerry Bishop, and Executive Director of The Diatribe, Wardell Jerome Frazier Jr. The community leaders panel discussion will be livestreamed.
