Join us as we celebrate 2026 MLK Jr. Commemoration Week at WashU Medicine. We invite all members of our community to participate and reflect on ways to further Dr. King’s vision of justice and equality in our daily lives.
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., this year’s program is themed “Historical Memory.” The week features opportunities to engage with inspiring speakers, reflective sessions, and celebrations honoring campus community members. Join us for this week of remembrance, reflection, and celebration of Dr. King’s enduring legacy.
Dr. MLK Jr. Commemoration Week 2026
January 19 – 23, 2026
Monday, January 19 | All Day
Martin Luther King Jr., National Day of Service
“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
The Martin Luther King Jr., holiday is an official day of service and celebrates the civil rights leader’s life and legacy. MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all to volunteer to improve their communities.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- 11th Annual Mid-St. Louis County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Weekend (Theme: True Education: Character + Intelligence)
Sign up to volunteer, donate or provide a resource table.- Prayer and Leadership Breakfast
Saturday, January 17th at 10AM
Normandy Senior High School
6701 St. Charles Rock Road, Wellston, MO 63133 - Dr. MLK Jr. Parade
Sunday, January 19th at 10AM
Normandy Senior High School
6701 St. Charles Rock Road, Wellston, MO 63133 - Dr. MLK, Jr. Legacy Program
Sunday, January 19th at 12PM
Barack Obama Elementary School
3883 Jennings Station Road, Pine Lawn, MO 63121
- Prayer and Leadership Breakfast
Review additional Service and Volunteer Opportunities at:
Tuesday, January 20 | 10:00am – 10:45am
Cultural Somatic Skills for Navigating Difficult Times
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
As we commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of hope, community, and resilience, we invite you to join a session guided by Dr. Gladys Smith, focusing on cultural somatic practices. Through breathwork, gentle movement, and self-reflection, participants will learn practical ways to reconnect with their bodies, regulate stress, and cultivate resilience. This interactive experience aims to deepen our capacity for compassion, presence, and sustained action toward a more just and equitable future. Join us in drawing inspiration from Dr. King and practicing skills that foster strength, restoration, and collective hope. All are welcome!
Cultural Somatic Skills Session Registration >>
Wednesday, January 21 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm
2026 MLK, Jr. Week Keynote: Dr. Hasan Jeffries
Location: EPNEC Seminar Room B, Eric P. Newman Education Center
Please join us for the Inclusive Excellence Speaker Series and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Week Keynote. Dr. David H. Perlmutter, Executive Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs and Dean of WashU Medicine will provide opening remarks. Hasan Kwame Jefferies, PhD. will deliver the keynote address; Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries is a historian who teaches, researches, and writes about the African American experience with a focus on historical understanding and civic engagement. His talk entitled, “When a Dream Becomes a Nightmare: Reclaiming Dr. King’s Vision for a Just America,” is sure to be thought-provoking and insightful. All are welcome!
Keynote Address Registration >>
Thursday, January 22 | 11:30am – 1:00pm
ODEI Open House
Location: Connor Auditorium, Farrell Learning and Teaching Center
Dr. Sherree Wilson and other diversity, equity and inclusion leaders will provide updates on DEI efforts on the medical campus, including recent successes and future initiatives. You’ll also learn about opportunities to get involved in ongoing DEI work.
ODEI Open House Registration >>
Friday, January 23 | 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Drum Major Award Ceremony
Location: Holden Auditorium, Farrell Learning and Teaching Center
In a 1968 sermon in Atlanta titled “The Drum Major Instinct,” Dr. King said, “Yes, if you want to say I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness.” Inspired by these words, we aim to recognize individuals in the WashU Medicine community who embody Dr. King’s spirit by leading community-wide service projects, serving as mentors, and standing up against injustices.
The Drum Major Award Ceremony will celebrate these upstanders in 2026 with refreshments, snacks, photo booths, and more. Food will be provided, and all are welcome to join us in honoring and celebrating Drum Majors across our campus community!