The 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee invites the University of New Haven community to enact the theme “This is Our Hope: Celebrating Achievement and Hope for the Future.” Nearly 60 years ago on August 28, 1963, Dr. King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, articulating “our hope,” while warning of "protectors of the status quo and its fraternities of the indifferent." This is an invitation to consider our commitment to social justice and racial equity and our charge to recognize all forms of identity, including class, sexuality, age, religion, ability, and gender.
On our campus, we are celebrating this academic year, the 50th anniversary of the Black Student Union and the 15th anniversary of the PRIDE organization. At a national level, we also mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX, landmark federal civil rights legislation advocating for equal opportunities in education and athletics, as well as the appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
As a community, we acknowledge the ongoing struggles for racial justice, and we recognize that the multiple facets of our identities are not separate, as they intersect, connect, and overlap. Together our identities represent our experiences of oppression, inequality, advantage, or privilege. The challenges we face should not weigh us down or dissuade us from re-imagining a better, more just, and more hope-filled future. As Dr. King reminded us: "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."
The University of New Haven will partner with high schools in the West Haven and New Haven communities. Students will have the opportunity to write an essay related to the MLK theme. Winners will be invited to attend the MLK Celebration and Recognition Awards Ceremony.
Vision Awards
Nominations due: December 3
Nomination Form (myCharger login required)
Philip & Susan Bartels Awards for Leadership and Service
Nominations due: December 3
Nomination Form (myCharger login required)
MLK Student Scholarship
Applications due: November 21
Application Form (myCharger login required)
Deadline to submit an essay is December 15.
The University of New Haven will partner with high schools in the West Haven and New Haven communities. Students will have the opportunity to write an essay related to the MLK theme. Winners will be invited to attend the MLK Celebration and Recognition Awards Ceremony.
Essays can be emailed to MLKCelebration@newhaven.edu
January 20 - January 25
Sponsored by the Center for Student Engagement, Leadership, and Orientation
Friday, January 20, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Please join us in celebrating the legacy and history of activism at the University of New Haven and beyond at the Celebration & Archive of Activism. This event will feature three main components. The first is the UNewHaven Archive of Activism where the University community is invited to share and contribute experiences, events, photos, videos and more of moments of Activism in the University’s history. The second features perform ances by members of the University community celebrating the role of the arts in activism. Finally, there will be presentations from campus partners highlighting histories, leaders, and organizations from around the world celebrating their contributions to liberation and social justice.
Sponsored by the Myatt Center for Diversity & Inclusion, Center for Student Engagement, Leadership, and Orientation, and the Faculty
Alumni Lounge, Bartels Hall
Friday, January 20, 4:30 p.m.
Please join us in celebrating the legacy of faith identity in activism at the Interfaith Service. This event will feature faith leaders representing faiths from our community speaking about how faith as played a role in their work and the legacy of faith in the civil rights and other movements for liberation around the world.
Sponsored by the Myatt Center for Diversity & Inclusion and the Dean of Students Office
Alumni Lounge, Bartels Hall
Monday, January 23, 9:30 a.m.
This virtual workshop, presented by Danielle Cooper, Ph.D., CPP, and Terry Cooper '23 DHSc will empower participants to engage individuals and groups in various settings (academic and practical) using tools that foster positive relationships, communicate intentions clearly, and invite constructive feedback. Using examples from implementing restorative circles, check-ins, and the critical-response process during in-person and online gatherings, participants will be provided with several analog and digital approaches that can be used to amplify comments, concerns, and recommendations from small and large collectives. Additional resources for identifying ways to position discussions for advocacy, as well ways to engage communities that are not easily accessed, will be highlighted and discussed. All students, faculty, and staff are invited.
Zoom (Link will be posted on myCharger closer to event)
Wednesday, January 25, 5 p.m.
Join the MLK Celebration Committee as we honor members of our community who demonstrate a commitment to the ideals and values of Dr. King through service, leadership and what they stand for. The event will also feature a keynote speaker who will focus on the theme "This is Our Hope: Celebrating Achievement and Hope for the Future.”
2022 Vision Award Winners
Adrielys Gomez ‘22
Mary Lippa ‘23
Richard Concepcion ‘20, ‘22 M.A.
Staff – Zanaiya Leon ‘18, '20 MBA, assistant director, Myatt Center
Faculty – Danielle Cooper, Ph.D., associate professor of criminal justice
Philip & Susan Bartels Awards for Leadership and Service
Sofia Martinez ‘22
MLK Student Scholarships
Anta Fall ‘23
Katiushka Ruiz ‘24
T-Shirt Contest
Kiana White ‘23
As part of the University’s MLK Celebration, several members of the University community who embody Dr. King’s ideals were honored for their dedication to making a difference in the University community and beyond.
As part of the culminating event of the University’s MLK Celebration, Dr. Yohuru Williams spoke to members of the University community, encouraging them to live by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words, urging them to connect his vision with the University’s mission.
I am grateful for the opportunities my classmates and I had to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy as part of the University’s weeklong MLK Celebration. I am proud to honor his vision and the power it has to continue to change the world for the better.