MLK Day at Hill was a blend of art, reflection, and conversation as students and faculty came together to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through interactive art exhibits, and a keynote address by renowned activist Tarana Burke. The unique programming this year which allowed the Hill community to reflect and explore some of the ongoing works of social justice was organized by the DEI Student Council along with the Dean of Equity and Inclusion Eric Khong. 

The planning for MLK Day began early in the winter term when Khong and the DEI Council started brainstorming activities that aligned with the theme of social movements and community engagement.  

“We knew Tarana Burke was coming and most likely going to talk about her work with the Me Too movement as a Tom Ruth speaker, and this became the spark for our inspiration to talk about social movements more broadly and analyze how society changes over time,” explained Khong.  

As a big fan of “artivism”, Khong brought up the idea of using communal art as a way to reflect which started the planning process. Then, the team spent over a month organizing the event, with intense planning in the final two weeks leading up to the day. From the list of possible exhibits, the team settled with four activities they intended to execute.  

 The DEI Council played a key role in shaping the day’s activities, as they wanted to create something that would resonate with everyone. The idea of using art to reflect on social change felt like a way to bring people together in a meaningful way.  

One of the activities, Threads of the Future, invited students to write their hopes and wishes for the future, which were then hung on string lights in the library.  Khong originally wanted to create a ‘wishing tree’, but the snowy weather made it hard to accomplish. 

“The DEI Council helped pivot to this indoor exhibit, where instead of one tree, it was a crisscrossing series of string lights in the library that acted as the “base” for our wishes,” said Khong. 

The exhibit A Thousand & One Hands, allowed students to design a tile that represents their identity. A Web of Connection included a web created by strings of yarn that represented students and faculty and their experiences and aspirations. The Photography Story Booth, was a station where students could write down their story and take a photo either alone or as a group.  

Khong explained, “All the exhibits [were] meant to highlight that we are a part of something bigger than us.” Khong believes that “because we live in a big community, it is important that we have decency, respect, tolerance, understanding, grace, kindness, and so much more towards each other.”  

The day culminated in the Tom Ruth speaker Tarana Burke, who spoke about the origins of the Me Too movement and the importance of collective action in creating social change. Burke tied her talk to the themes of the day, emphasizing the need for courage, empathy, and persistence in the fight for justice. A major takeaway from Burke’s talk was that social change is supposed to be uncomfortable because it is often not easy to be someone standing up for what is right when it seems like you are against the world.   

Many students reflected on her talk and stepped forward to ask meaningful questions. Students praised the day’s programming for its thoughtfulness and inclusivity, and many enjoyed the incorporation of art and interaction in MLK Day’s programming.  

A student said,  “the art exhibits were a great way to engage and interact, and Tarana Burke’s speech gave us reflect a lot.”   

Looking forward, the DEI Council is planning many more events at Hill, including activities for Women’s History Month, the second Block Party, and International Weekend. As the Hill community remembers this year’s MLK Day, especially during this past Black History Month, the continual effort of equity and inclusion is still ongoing, and each of us is an important part of it.  

With its blend of art, interaction, and inspiration, the 2025 MLK Day programming left a lasting impact, reminding students that they are more than our themselves, should continue to think about how to be responsible for the community they live in.