Announcing MLK Vision Day 2021

Dear North Central College Campus Community,

The MLK Week and Black History Month Committee encourages the campus community to SAVE THE DATE for the MLK Vision Day Teach-In Monday, January 18, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Committee is coordinating this virtual MLK Vision Day Teach-In to engage the campus community in conversation about race, anti-racism, equity and inclusion. This unique event will provide a community-wide opportunity to discuss, learn and reflect on current racial and social justice issues through the lens of Rev. Dr. King’s work and ideas, and will provide different sessions to allow students, faculty and staff, alumni, and community members to engage in formal and informal ways.

The Teach-In will consist of a selection of workshops and lectures in in the morning, anchored by a virtual MLK Prayer Luncheon at 12 p.m., which continues the College’s tradition of gathering together for a meal to honor Dr. King’s legacy. The virtual Teach-In and luncheon is open to all faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members. Although spring semester classes will not yet be in session, the Committee hopes that students will be encouraged to attend by faculty and staff.

In addition, Dr. Megan Paustian, Associate Professor of English, is offering a Cardinal Conversation course: “Writing for Social Justice: Storytelling in the Style of MLK” from Monday, January 18 through Friday, January 22, 2021. For Martin Luther King, Jr., writing was a fundamental part of documenting his struggle and fighting for racial justice. Through speeches, letters, and books, he documented the injustice he witnessed and called on America to live up to its promise that all are created equal. For questions about the Teach-In and luncheon, please contact Dorothy Pleas at djpleas@noctrl.edu.

For this Cardinal Conversation course, students will learn to follow his lead and raise their voice. Students will collaborate with each other in a supportive environment to tell their own story about identity, diversity, and the demand for social justice.  Please contact Dr. Paustian at mcpaustian@noctrl.edu for more information.

More details about the Vision Day Teach-In and the Cardinal Conversation course will be coming soon, but please put this on your calendars now! Flyers for both events are below.

Dorothy Pleas
Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Multicultural Affairs
North Central College
djpleas@noctrl.edu
Pronouns: she/her/hers