FSU's MLK Week - Home
FSU's 38th Annual MLK Week: January 14-20, 2026
Florida State University's MLK Week has celebrated the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for more than three decades. The week of events across campus aligns with Dr. King's birthday on Jan. 15 and the federal holiday observed on the third Monday of the month. In addition to the week's speakers, performances, dialogues and other events, FSU honors Dr. King's legacy with the presentation of the MLK Distinguished Service Award for faculty and staff and the MLK Book Stipend for current students. The goal of the week is to bring the FSU and Tallahassee communities together to reflect on the past and support one another by advocating for the civil rights of all.
The Framework Behind the Movement
The goal of the week is to bring the FSU and Tallahassee communities together to reflect on the past and support one another to engage in advocating for the civil rights of all. The celebration highlights Dr. King’s framework for advocacy through the Six Principles of Nonviolence. Created by Dr. King, these principles were institutionalized and strengthened by Coretta Scott King’s continued advocacy and the monumental development of the King Center. We encourage you to reflect on each of these Six Principles of Nonviolence as we move through the week and think about how we as a community can do the work of equity for equality.
Six Principles of Nonviolence
- Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.
- Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding.
- Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people.
- Nonviolence holds that suffering for a cause can educate and transform people and societies.
- Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.
- Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice.
Wednesday, January 14: Building Momentum
MLK Week Kickoff @ Market Wednesday
11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Legacy Walk
Come out to the first Market Wednesday of the semester to help us build a lego set, make buttons, and get limited edition merch.
This event focuses on the Fifth Principle of Nonviolence: Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.
Thursday, January 16: Breaking Bread & Breaking Barriers
MLK Dialogue Dinner
Doors: 6:30 p.m. | Event: 7 p.m. | FSU Alumni Center
Join us for a Dialogue Dinner centered on connection, understanding, and shared responsibility. This evening is designed as a space where student leaders can come together to engage in meaningful conversation across differences. As individuals who help break barriers on our campus, we believe it is equally important to take time to break bread together—recognizing that dialogue, empathy, and understanding are often nurtured most effectively around the table. Register to participate.
This event focuses on the Second Principle of Nonviolence: Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding.
Saturday, January 17: Building Tradition
Memories of a Living King hosted by Florida State University's Civil Rights Institute
6-8 p.m. | FSU Alumni Center, 1030 West Tennessee Street
Florida State University’s Civil Rights Institute will host the third annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration titled “Memories of A Living King”. The event honors the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a unique blend of art, performance, and community engagement, with the following objectives: memorialize Dr. King's contributions to the global community, educate and demonstrate the American Civil Rights Movement through the arts, and garner broad community input into the strategic direction of the FSU Civil Rights Institute.
This event focuses on the Fourth Principle of Nonviolence: Nonviolence holds that suffering for a cause can educate and transform people and societies.
Monday, January 19: Bridging Community
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday and National Day of Service
All Week | Tallahassee
City of Tallahassee MLK Day Community Celebrations | 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
MLK Day Parade | Downtown Tallahassee | 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Dream Festival | Cascades Park | 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Volunteer for service sites throughout the Tallahassee area in honor of Dr. King's legacy and commitment to serving our communities all year round. Find a community service project with Engage TLH! Volunteers will be able to sign up for engagement opportunities via the Engage TLH portal. Sign up here https://apps.its.fsu.edu/EngageTLH/listings/.
This event focuses on the First Principle of Nonviolence: Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.
Thursday, January 23: United We Celebrate
Block Party
5-7 p.m. | Student Union Green
Join us for a lively community block party to close out MLK Week! Enjoy an afternoon filled with food, music, and activities that celebrate unity and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Stop by student org tables to fill out your passport or add notes to the interactive MLK mural.
Performing Arts Showcase
7:30-9 p.m. | Moore Auditorium
Get ready to see performances from FSU student and community organizations! More information to come.
This event focuses on the Second Principle of Nonviolence: Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding.
Saturday, January 17: Building Tradition
Memories of a Living King hosted by Florida State University's Civil Rights Institute
6-8 p.m. | FSU Alumni Center, 1030 West Tennessee Street
Florida State University’s Civil Rights Institute will host the third annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration titled “Memories of A Living King”. The event honors the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a unique blend of art, performance, and community engagement, with the following objectives: memorialize Dr. King's contributions to the global community, educate and demonstrate the American Civil Rights Movement through the arts, and garner broad community input into the strategic direction of the FSU Civil Rights Institute.
This event focuses on the Fourth Principle of Nonviolence: Nonviolence holds that suffering for a cause can educate and transform people and societies.