Florida State University will celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with its 38th annual MLK Week. This year’s theme, “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers,” will highlight how the FSU community can foster connection, understanding and shared responsibility through meaningful dialogue.
MLK Week takes place Wednesday, Jan. 14 through Tuesday, Jan. 20. All events are free and open to the public.
This year’s programming brings the Tallahassee community together with the MLK Commemoration Ceremony and Golden Torch Lecture Series on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Leslie Odom, Jr., songwriter, actor and New York Times-bestselling author, is this year’s keynote speaker.
“This year’s theme reflects our commitment to fostering understanding and meaningful connection across our campus and community,” said Felicia Williams, director of Student Engagement. “We are honored to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Florida State and look forward to a week of inspiring events, thought-provoking discussions and community engagement that challenge us to overcome divisions, strengthen relationships and continue Dr. King’s work.”
The Commemoration Ceremony will also feature performances from the FSU Gospel Choir and Dance Ensemble, and a presentation of scholarships to honor FSU community members.
Register for this free event at tickets.fsu.edu. Tickets will be available at noon on Thursday, Jan. 15, and are required for entry.
For more information and the full schedule of events, visit mlk.fsu.edu.
Featured upcoming MLK Week events include:
THURSDAY, JAN. 15
BREAKING BREAD AND BREAKING BARRIERS
MLK Dialogue Dinner
Doors: 6:30 p.m. | Event: 7 p.m.
FSU Alumni Center
This event centers on connection, understanding and shared responsibility. The evening is designed as a space where student leaders can come together to engage in meaningful conversation across differences. As individuals who help break barriers on our campus, we believe it is equally important to take time to break bread together, recognizing that dialogue, empathy and understanding are often nurtured most effectively around the table.
SATURDAY, JAN. 17
BUILDING TRADITION
Memories of a Living King hosted by Florida State University’s Civil Rights Institute
6-8 p.m.
FSU Alumni Center
Florida State University’s Civil Rights Institute will host the third annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration “Memories of a Living King.” The event honors the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a unique blend of art, performance and community engagement, with the following objectives: memorialize Dr. King’s contributions to the global community, educate and demonstrate the American Civil Rights Movement through the arts, and garner broad community input into the strategic direction of the FSU Civil Rights Institute.
This event is free and open to the public.
MONDAY, JAN. 19
BRIDGING COMMUNITY
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday and National Day of Service
Throughout Tallahassee
Below is a list of Tallahassee community events in honor of the national Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and ways to get involved with service all year round.
These events are free and open to the public.
- MLK Day Parade | Downtown Tallahassee | 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Dream Festival | Cascades Park | 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- MLK BBQ | Jack McLean Park, 700 Paul Russell Road | 2:30 p.m.
The 20th annual MLK barbecue, hosted by the Iota Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., commemorates the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event will include free food, local vendors, games and voter registration drive with LeonVotes.
Volunteer for service sites throughout the Tallahassee area in honor of Dr. King’s legacy and commitment to serving our communities all year round. Find a community service project with Engage TLH. Volunteers will be able to sign up for engagement opportunities via the Engage TLH portal.
TUESDAY, JAN. 20
BUILDING YOUR VOICE
MLK 2026 Commemoration Program and Golden Torch Lecture with Leslie Odom, Jr.
Doors: 6:30 p.m. | Event: 7 p.m.
Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
Enjoy a night celebrating FSU community members, featuring a performance by the FSU Gospel Choir, and an engaging conversation with our keynote speaker Leslie Odom, Jr. This commemoration event for FSU’s 38th Annual MLK Week is one you won’t want to miss!
This event is free and open to the public.
Community members can secure a ticket for this event at tickets.fsu.edu. Tickets open at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15.
About the keynote speaker: Leslie Odom, Jr. is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning, three-time Emmy and two-time Academy Award-nominated songwriter, actor, and New York Times bestselling author. Odom is best known for his breakout role as ‘Aaron Burr’ in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical “Hamilton,” but has continued to captivate audiences across multiple platforms through six albums, two books, and an unbelievable amount of television, film, and stage roles. Film and television credits include Rian Johnson’s record-breaking 2022 Knives Out sequel, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” for Netflix, “Abbott Elementary,” “Harriet,” “The Many Saints of Newark,” a prequel to David Chase’s award-winning HBO series The Sopranos, Apple TV+’s Central Park (2020 Emmy nomination), “Hamilton” on Disney+ (2021 Emmy nomination), host of “The Tony Awards Present: Broadway’s Back!” on CBS (2022 Emmy nomination), “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder,” and many more.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
The FSU Department of Student Engagement, under the Division of Student Affairs, promotes student growth through collaboration and leads campus programming that connects students to the university, providing a sense of belonging where they can evolve and make an impact throughout the world. Learn more at engagement.fsu.edu.