Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Unity Dinner 2026

On Thursday, January 15, in honor of the 46th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at MSU, the Community Unity Dinner will take place at the Kellogg Center Hotel & Conference Center.

Community was extremely important to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During his short lifetime of 39 years, he came to understand and appreciate the interrelatedness of all humanity. Dr. King would repeatedly say in speeches and writings that, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly."

In addition to the great food and the ambiance crafted by the amazing Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center staff, there will be a Keynote speaker, Graduate and Undergraduate speakers, as well as musical performances. MSU President Dr. Kevin M. Guskiewicz and Vice President and Chief Inclusion Officer Dr. Jabbar Bennett will give remarks. The recipients of the MLK Endowed Scholarship will be announced.

The Keynote Speaker this year is Dr. Terry Flennaugh, Associate Dean of Access and Community Engagement in the Department of Teacher Education. Also an associate professor, he specializes in race, culture and equity in education. His research focuses primarily on the educational experiences of Black males and other students of color in urban contexts. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, he examines the sense-making processes involved in constructing identities that lead to high academic performance in urban schools. He also studies issues of educational access and equity for communities of color in addition to single-sex educational spaces for urban youth.

This is a free event, and pre-registration is required. Seating is limited, and this form will automatically turn off when capacity has been reached. Everyone who makes reservations should receive an email with tickets to the event. If you attempt to register and do not receive an email with tickets, please email UkVIU2VuZ2FnZSB8IHJocyAhIG1zdSAhIGVkdQ==

IMPORTANT: If you register for the dinner, and are unable to make it, please go in and cancel your tickets so someone else may attend.

To enter the dinner, please bring your printed tickets, or eTickets on your phone. Staff will scan you in near the entrance of the Big 10 Rooms at the Kellogg Center. Coat racks will be available in the Centennial Room, located directly across the hall from the Big 10 Rooms.

Parking is located in the Ramp 4 parking structure adjacent to the Kellogg Center. The crosswalk connecting the structure to the hotel is located on the second floor of the parking ramp, which connects to the main floor of hotel. To register your vehicle for the Kellogg parking ramp, please go to this link: https://www.offstreet.io/location/KP0Z01T2.

Note: We do not assign specific tables or seats for guests.

The MLK Community Unity Dinner gives everyone the opportunity to donate to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund. Donations are tax deductible, and 100% of your contribution will go toward the scholarship for MSU students who carry on Dr. King's legacy of community engagement and advocacy. Any amount you can donate to the scholarship fund will be greatly appreciated. Donate to: bit.ly/give2msumlk or make checks payable to Michigan State University, donation code AB1018.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Info: Doors open at 4:45 p.m. Buffets open at 5:00 and are located on both sides of the Big 10 Rooms. Gather your dinner and have a seat! Seats are not assigned or reserved. Program begins at 5:30 PM.

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