Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner Celebration, a community-wide tradition lasting more than a quarter of a century, is one of the nation’s largest celebrations of Dr. King’s legacy on a university campus, including a sit-down dinner for more than 2,000 people on the floor of the Carrier Dome, followed by a festive program featuring our keynote speaker.

Each year Hendricks Chapel in conjunction with the wider University hosts a dinner celebration in honor of the legacy of Dr. King. The dinner celebration features a renowned leader in the area of civil rights and delights guests with a festive line-up of entertainment including the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble, the Syracuse Community Choir, Alpha Phi Alpha stepping, and other community and university groups.

During the celebration, we the annual Unsung Heroes Awards to members of the greater Syracuse community who exemplify the spirit, life, and teachings of Martin Luther King Jr., but who are not widely recognized for their efforts. We seek help in identifying recipients for this award and are looking for people who have made a positive difference in the lives of others. Past recipients have been recognized for their work to advance human rights, nonviolence, diversity, and nondiscrimination; organize soup kitchens; provide help and companionship for the elderly and people with disabilities; promote youth mentoring programs; advocate for peace and justice; build bridges between diverse communities; and provide opportunities for people living on the margins of society. Nominations can be made online at http://hendricks.syr.edu (click on the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration button on the right) or by mailing the form to the address indicated. Nominations may be submitted in any or all of the following categories: “community youth/teen”, “community adult”, “SU/SUNY ESF student” or “SU/SUNY ESF faculty/staff member.”  Please check with the dean’s office for the current deadline date.

In addition to the dinner, this annual event also includes a symposium with the keynote speaker and a community day that engages local children and their families in a day of workshops, dialogue and entertainment.

This singular, collaborative celebration occurs in the context of a community that vigorously embraces its leading role in social movements that either informed or draw inspiration from Dr. King’s thought and action.

MLK Keynote Speakers