The roots of MLK DOD can be traced to “The ‘Days of Dialogue’ Town Hall Meetings: Bolder Actions”, published in 2002 by the University of Wyoming Division of Student Affairs:
"The United Nations declared 2001 ‘The Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations’ to encourage shared values of freedom, tolerance, and nonviolence among the world’s peoples. In January 2002, the UW Division of Student Affairs introduced ‘Days of Dialogue’, a weeklong, campus-wide celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ideals and values. Events of the week included the largest Wyoming candlelight march, a community dinner with guest speakers addressing the importance of Dr. King’s message to Wyoming, a brown bag lunch series on issues of diversity, an armband campaign to recognize the need for faculty diversity, an essay campaign with Albany County schools and a multicultural dance."
"In conjunction with this celebration, Student Affairs also hosted a series of town meetings, providing four ethnic populations an opportunity to discuss what it means to be a minority at UW, in Laramie and in Wyoming. The hope for these ‘Building the Dream Dialogues’ was that the information gathered would help university community members better address minority issues and concerns."
We seek to engage students, staff, faculty, and community members through dynamic
programming and dialogue. The core goals of MLK DOD are:
Provide a positive environment for Black identified students to celebrate their culture and collective history in community.
Facilitate community-based, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed learning experiences focused on racial justice and improving campus climate.
Empower and encourage individuals to engage with racial justice issues in their communities.
America has a long history of racial injustice and inequality that activists near
and far acknowledge and denounce—relentlessly making strides toward intersectional
justice and equity. This past summer we witnessed a movement take shape that activated
voices from around the world and called for justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor,
Tony McDade, and, unfortunately, many others. Demands for justice rang out from every
corner of our nation as activists chanted Black Lives Matter. The conversation continues.
This year we take time to explore the historic Civil Rights Movements—past and present—that
have shaped America and analyze our paths toward freedom.
