Overview
Each year on the holiday commemorating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the entire UWM community is invited to participate in events honoring the life and legacy of this important civil rights leader.
On the holiday itself, the Office of Community Empowerment & Institutional Inclusivity (CEII) co-sponsors outreach activities in the city of Milwaukee. We encourage faculty, staff, students, and alumni to sign up for one or more volunteer shifts. The following day, UWM hosts a morning program for campus and community members to gather, engage in conversations, and learn more about King’s work for justice and his ongoing legacy in Milwaukee and at UWM.
About Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (MLK Day), observed on the third Monday in January, honors King’s fight for equality and civil rights. The movement to commemorate him with a federal holiday started right after his 1968 assassination and was led by Rep. John Conyers and Coretta Scott King. After years of their advocacy, President Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983. The first celebration was held in 1986, marking the establishment of a national day of service to promote community volunteering and social justice.
For questions or inquiries regarding MLK Day at UWM events, please email Vice Chancellor for Community Empowerment & Institutional Inclusivity, Dr. Chia Youyee Vang, at vangcy@uwm.edu.