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Martin Luther King Vision Day

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2023 MLK WEEK

Watch the Annual Prayer Luncheon

In commemoration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, the North Central College Office of Multicultural Affairs held its annual prayer luncheon on January 16, 2023. North Central alumna Tracie Morris '02, chief people officer for Corewell Health, gave an inspiring keynote address regarding on putting inclusivity into action. The luncheon also featured music from Voices of Praise, North Central's student gospel choir, and comments from Interim North Central President Dr. Donna Carroll, College Chaplain Rev. Eric Doolittle, Assistant Director of Faith and Action Rev. Josiah Montgomery, and student leaders Serene Labadi '21/M '23, Morgan Harmon '23, and De'Jenae Phillips '23. Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs Karl Constant served as emcee for the event. Re-live this special event here.

MLK Week 2023 - Freedom to Dream: The Radical Imagination of a New Generation

In Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last book “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?”, King said, "Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love." This new generation has been using its power to implement the demands of justice with technology and social media platforms. They are organizing movements and spreading awareness of social justice issues. As they use their power to correct everything that stands against love and address the barriers of oppression, there remains a challenge of what a world filled with “Justice at its best” that Dr. King mentioned would look like.  

Robin D.G. Kelley writes, “Without new visions, we don’t know what to build, only what to knock down. We not only end up confused, rudderless, and cynical, but we forget that making a revolution is not a series of clever maneuvers and tactics, but a process that can and must transform us.”

To avoid chaos and build a community that is just and filled with love requires the radical imagination of this new generation.

For more information or questions, contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs at mca@noctrl.edu.

events

Chicago Sinfonietta’s “Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert: THUNDER"

Sunday, January 15

Wentz Concert Hall
3 p.m.

Sinfonietta's annual MLK Tribute Concert is a beloved yearly tradition. This year, come and join us for an inspiring program full of power and intensity. Opening the program, 2021 Sphinx Medal of Excellence winner Carlos Simon's piece was inspired by a journal entry from Beethoven in 1815, about the unpredictable nature of life: "Iliad. The Twenty-Second Book: But Fate now conquers; I am hers; and yet not she shall share In my renown; that life is left to every noble spirit. And that some great deed shall beget that all lives shall inherit." The concert continues with Valerie Colemans's "Umoja," the Swahili word for Unity and the first principal of the holiday Kwanzaa. Through the two decades, "Umoja" transformed from an original version for women's choir to the woodwind version. Rounding out the program, Kathryn Bostic's (pictured left) newest commissioned "Letters From Moral Courage" encompasses the powerful impact from all types of people making a choice to abide in integrity, truth and fearlessness.

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Kathryn Bostic

MLK Annual Prayer Luncheon Keynote

Monday, January 16

Tracie Morris '02

Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center, 2nd floor

131 S. Loomis St, Naperville IL 60540

12 p.m.

Our 2023 MLK Vision Day Luncheon keynote speaker will be Tracie Morris '02. Morris is chief people officer for Corewell Health—formerly Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health. She is integral in developing inspirational and innovative people strategies that propel the organization forward to thrive in a vibrant and inclusive culture. She champions programs related to learning, development, recruitment, retention, culture and well-being. Tracie also serves as a member of the Corewell Health leadership team.

For any questions about the luncheon, email Student Affairs at studentaffairs@noctrl.edu or call 630-637-5151.

Tracie Morris

MLK Vision Day

Monday, January 16

MLK Teach-In

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The MLK Teach-In will be conducted both in person and online and will consist of hourly sessions beginning at 9 a.m in Wentz Science Center. The goal of the Teach-In is to engage the community in learning and conversation about topics such as race, anti-racism, equity, inclusion and Dr. King's goals of peace and justice. Attendees are welcome to drop into the sessions as their schedules allow. Pre-registration is preferred.

Teach-in Session List (room locations and zoom information)

For any questions related to the Teach-In, email Student Affairs at studentaffairs@noctrl.edu or call 630-637-5151.

Campus

More MLK Week Events

Tuesday, January 17

12:5 Worship Service  
Koten Chapel
12:05 – 12:25 p.m.

Keynote Speaker Dr. Greg Wolf and Performance by Voices of Praise

Wednesday, January 18

"Let the Little Light Shine" Film Screening
Harold & Eva White Activities Center Student Lounge
6 – 8:30 p.m.

When a thriving, top-ranked African-American elementary school is threatened to be replaced by a new high school favoring the community’s wealthier residents, parents, students and educators fight for the elementary school’s survival.

Thursday, January 19

Honoring Civil Rights leaders
Multicultural Student Center (2nd floor), Harold & Eva White Activities Center
11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Love Songs of Black Poets and Composers
Wentz Concert Hall
7 p.m.

Hosted by Professors Henry Pleas and Susan Chou from the North Central Department of Music

This is a program of songs that celebrates love relationships as expressed through the words and music of Black poets and composers.  Each of the songs is set to the work of a Black poet, who inspired a black classical composer to set those words to music. More Information

MLK Schedule of Events

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at North Central

North Central College strives to grow in diversity, equity and inclusion through the work of our faculty and staff, the openness and honesty of our students, the support of our alumni, and the continuing commitment of the entire North Central community. Share our journey with us and discover how we are working to be the change and become a true college of destination.

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