MLK Dinner

The longest-running celebration honoring King in Indianapolis. The dinner attracts sell-out crowds to commemorate King’s goals and dreams and to hear nationally renowned speakers. Past speakers include the famed American poet Maya Angelou; Benjamin Hooks, former director of the NAACP; former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm; Hollywood actor and director Bill Duke; nationally syndicated columnist William Raspberry; and the scholar Henry Louis Gates. The Black Student Union presents awards to outstanding faculty and students at the dinner.

IUPUI joins a national effort to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by making this national holiday a “”Day-On” rather than a day off. Since classes are not in session, students, faculty, and staff participate in a half-day service project in the local community. A kick-off breakfast is followed by team service projects that may include painting and general clean-up, assisting with a youth basketball clinic, or preparing a low-income home for rehab construction. Students and student groups may also apply for mini-grants to fund special service projects to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.