Concordia College will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with a month-long series of events around issues of civil rights and social justice. The series will unfold through dialogues, panel discussions, interactive art installations, a prayer wall, a concert, photo contests, and screenings of historical footage from protests, marches, and Dr. King’s speeches.

The following events in the series are free and open to the public:

#MLK50 Commemoration
Wednesday, April 4, 3:00 to 5:00 pm, Brickyard, Schoenfeld Campus Center: Join us as we honor MLK, Jr., and the history of Civil Rights & Social Justice with dialogue, multi-media presentations, poster creation station, and the unveiling of our interactive CRSJ Timeline. Snacks and refreshments will be served.

Concert for Freedom & Justice
Thursday, April 5, 7:30 pm, Sommer Center for Worship and the Performing Arts: The Concordia Tour Choir and GospelKnights will present a multimedia concert featuring music of the Civil Rights and Social Justice movements including spirituals, gospel music, protest songs and hymns.

Set-up of Prayer Wall
Friday, April 6, 10:30 am, Sommer Center for Worship and the Performing Arts: Join the Concordia community as students lead the set-up of a prayer wall during Morning Reflections.

Dialogues: Social Justice and Inequality Through My Eyes
Thursday, April 12, 3:30 to 5:00 pm, Donald A. Krenz Academic Center 201: A panel of Concordia students and staff will speak to the issue of civil rights from their perspective and topics related to the late 1960s Civil Rights and Social Justice Movements. Panelists: Elizabeth Geiling, Ovan Oakley, Jason Francis, Shanalise Rodriquez, Cindy Tiendrebeogo, Roshny Roy, and Tadi Mrewa. 

Civil Rights & Social Justice: Has Anything Changed in 50 Years?
Tuesday, April 17, 7:30 pm, Sommer Center for Worship and the Performing Arts: This event will bring together the following panelists to discuss the topics related to the Civil Rights Movements of the past and today. Joe Chappel, Activist; Maxene Kupperman-Guinals, Educator & Writer; Monique Nunes, Educator; Philip R. Kane, Banker, Military Family Member.