2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Power of Service

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a towering figure in the history of social justice, civil rights, and advocacy for equality. Central to his legacy is his unwavering belief in the power of service as a means to create lasting change. Dr. King鈥檚 philosophy of service was rooted in the principles of love, compassion, and uplifting the community, which he believed could dismantle systemic injustice and bring people together to forge a better world. His life鈥檚 work exemplifies how service, when driven by a moral commitment to others, can become a transformative force that transcends generations.

For Dr. King, service was not merely an act of charity but a moral obligation. In his famous sermon 鈥淭he Drum Major Instinct,鈥 he stated, 鈥淓verybody can be great, because everybody can serve.鈥 These words capture the essence of his belief that greatness lies not in power, wealth, or status, but in the selfless acts we perform to lift others. He encouraged people to take action, no matter how small, in their communities and beyond, because he understood that collective service could create a ripple effect of change. Whether it was organizing marches, leading voter registration drives, or fighting for economic justice, Dr. King鈥檚 work was grounded in a servant-leadership model that inspired millions to act for the greater good.

The Civil Rights Movement itself was a testament to the power of service. Dr. King鈥檚 leadership galvanized countless individuals鈥攂oth Black and white鈥攖o participate in sit-ins, boycotts, and peaceful protests, often at great personal risk. These acts of service, rooted in nonviolence and love, demonstrated how ordinary citizens could rise up and challenge entrenched systems of oppression. These collective efforts were central to achieving legislative victories such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and helped to reshape the moral conscience of a nation.

Dr. King鈥檚 commitment to service extended beyond racial justice to economic equality and global peace. In his final years, he launched the Poor People鈥檚 Campaign, advocating for better wages, housing, and access to education for the impoverished. He recognized that service must address the structural inequalities that perpetuate poverty and disenfranchisement. Dr. King鈥檚 work reminds us that service is not just about alleviating immediate suffering but about dismantling the root causes of injustice.

The theme of the 鈥淧ower of Service鈥 is particularly relevant today as communities continue to grapple with inequality, racism, and divisiveness. Dr. King鈥檚 legacy teaches us that service has the power to unite and heal, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. It is through serving others that we create stronger, more compassionate communities that exemplify the humanity we all share. As we celebrate Dr. King鈥檚 life, we are reminded that his call to service is not confined to a single day or moment鈥攊t is a lifelong commitment to making the world a better place for all.

Events

MLK Celebration

Monday, January 27, 12 p.m. |

Our celebration will feature a keynote speech by Toni Harp 鈥13 Hon, the chair of Impact CT and a former Mayor of New Haven. Awards will be presented to members of the Charger Community who demonstrate a commitment to the ideals and values of Dr. King. The event is free and open to the public.

Click here to view the program.

To learn more, email VPofIED@newhaven.edu

Community Service Projects

Monday, January 27, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Following the MLK celebration, members of the Charger community are invited to take part in on-campus volunteer opportunities to support the greater New Haven community.

  • Alumni Lounge, Bartels Hall 鈥 Sandwich Making: Students, faculty and staff are invited to help make peanut butter & jelly sandwiches to be donated to a local community shelter. Supplies, including peanut alternatives, will be provided. Community members with airborne nut allergies should not participate.
  • Fireplace Lounge/Bartels Student Center Lobby 鈥 Hearts of Hope: Students, faculty and staff will volunteer to expressing empathy and compassion to those who are experiencing grief, trauma and loss by creating personalized hearts that are distributed to people all over the world.

To learn more, email CSELO@newhaven.edu.

Past Winners

2024 Vision Award Winners

  • Youssef Ossama 鈥24
  • Sadara Funches 鈥24
  • Kiana White 鈥24, 鈥25 M.S.
  • Toyin Folorunso 鈥24 M.S.
  • Zelda Roland, Ph.D., Director of the Prison Education Program
  • Randall Horton, Ph.D., Professor of English

2024 Phillip & Susan Bartels Award for Leadership and Service
Michael Rossi, Ph.D., associate nean for faculty and curriculum for the College of Arts and Sciences

2024 MLK Student Scholarship Recipient
Marcus T. Harvin 鈥23 A.S., 鈥25

2023 Vision Award Winners

  • Yanice Mendez-Fernandez, Ph.D., MPH, Associate Dean, School of Health Sciences
  • David Schroeder, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice
  • Michael Rossi, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Faculty and Curriculum, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Peri Alexander 鈥23
  • Leo Levine Aquino 鈥23
  • Azza Hussein 鈥23 M.A.

2023 Phillip & Susan Bartels Award for Leadership and Service
Linda Copney-Okeke 鈥91, 鈥94, 鈥02 M.A., Director, Accessibility Resources Center

MLK Student Scholarship Recipient
Kaelin Barrionuevo 鈥26

T-Shirt Contest Winner
Eyosias Teka '24


2022 Vision Award Winners

  • Adrielys Gomez 鈥22
  • Mary Lippa 鈥23
  • Richard Concepcion 鈥20, 鈥22 M.A.
  • Staff 鈥 Zanaiya Leon 鈥18, '20 MBA, Assistant Director, Myatt Center
  • Faculty 鈥 Danielle Cooper, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Criminal Justice

Philip & Susan Bartels Awards for Leadership and Service
Sofia Martinez 鈥22

MLK Student Scholarships
Anta Fall 鈥23
Katiushka Ruiz 鈥24

T-Shirt Contest
Kiana White 鈥23

2024 Event Recap



2023 Event Recap



2022 Event Recap