The Very Reverend Canon Kelly Brown Douglas, dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary, canon theologian at Washington National Cathedral, and author of two books on racial reconciliation and social justice, will be the speaker at the University's annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast.

Very Reverend Brown Douglas, a Dayton native, is one of the first 10 Black women to be ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church. She is the author of Resurrection Hope: A Future Where Black Lives Matter and Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God. Prior to coming to the Washington Cathedral, she was the dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary in New York City and was on the faculty of Goucher College, the Howard University School of Divinity and Edward Waters College.

The breakfast at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, in the Kennedy Union ballroom is sold out. Also during the breakfast, the University will recognize the University’s MLK Scholars and Dream Keepers, UD faculty and staff exemplifying excellence in leadership and service which embodies King’s philosophy to improve the human experience and advance civil rights.

The theme for this year's events is "Reimagining: Joy as a Form of Resistance."

"A student member of our committee asked how we can reimagine King's work and teachings to apply it to today. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee Co-Chair Shannen Dee Williams continually brought forth examples of the joy of Dr. King's work and others' dedication to making a positive impact on the human condition," said Merida Allen, committee co-chair, associate dean of students and executive director of the Multi-Ethnic Education and Engagement Center. "So while we recognize and honor King's work and our continued resistance to oppression and inequities that remain today, in addition, this year, we will focus on the joy brought about by that work."

Other University of Dayton events to celebrate King include (open to the public where specified):

Monday, Jan. 16

• Procession to the University of Dayton monument to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from the Kennedy Union fountain and wreath laying ceremony starting at 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16. The monument is located across from the Frericks Center. Open to the public. It also will be broadcast on the Multi-Ethnic Education and Engagement Center YouTube channel.
• Faculty, staff and students will participate in the city of Dayton's Martin Luther King Day march at 9:30-11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16. Open to the public. 

Tuesday, Jan. 17

• In addition to the breakfast, the Very Reverend Brown Douglas will speak as part of the UD Speaker Series 7 to 8 p.m. in the Kennedy Union Ballroom. It is open to the public.

Wednesday, Jan. 18

• University libraries and UD's Department of History will host a film screening of and dialogue about "At the River I Stand" 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, in Roesch Library 240. "At the River I Stand" chronicles the Memphis sanitation workers strike of 1968 and King's assassination. This is a PATH-eligible event; register here.

Thursday, Jan. 19

• Table of Plenty lunch discussion for UD faculty, staff and students on social justice topics related to the impact and legacy of King at 12:30-1:45 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, in the McGinnis Room in the Adele Center. Sponsored by the Center for Social Concern and the Multi-Ethnic Education and Engagement Center. Register here.

Friday, Jan. 20 - event postponed to next month

• Join Black Action Through Unity and UD's Student Government Association in celebrating Black joy and the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a poetry slam 5-7 p.m. at the MLK memorial outside Roesch library, as we honor the message of black heritage and experience at the University of Dayton. 

Saturday, Jan. 21

• Faculty, students and staff will participate in a day of service — the MLK Social Justice Plunge — at the Dayton International Peace Museum 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21. Register here.

Sunday, Jan. 29

• The Rev. Peter Edward Matthews of McKinley United Methodist Church in Dayton will present "Community InterFaith Prayers, Praise and Preaching - Commemorating the Life and Legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." at 5 p.m. in the Kennedy Union Torch Lounge.

The schedule is subject to change. Other events may be added. Check https://udayton.edu/studev/dean/mec/mlk.php for updates.