2023 MLK Keynote Speaker: Dr. Lerone A. Martin

Monday January 16, 2023 6:00pm Wilson Hall, Reception at Presidents Hall to follow 

Join the Center for Multicultural Student Services, in partnership with James Madison Center for Civic Engagement and Madison Vision Series in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr with this year’s MLK Keynote Speaker Dr. Lerone A. Martin. Dr. Martin is the Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University. He is also Associate Professor of Religious Studies and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Centennial Chair. Dr. Martin is the author of the award-winning Preaching on Wax: The Phonograph and the Making of Modern African American Religion (New York University Press, 2014). The book received the 2015 first book award by the American Society of Church History. 

The program will also be Livestreamed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp6yIa74Xm8 

2023 MLK Breakfast 

Tuesday, January 17, 10:00am, The Union, Warren 256 

This annual event, hosted by the JMU Chapter of the NAACP, is a time for students, faculty & staff to share a meal and conversation during the 2023 Celebration Week.

2023 MLK Speak Easy with "The Poetry Cafe"

Wednesday, January 18, 7:00 pm, Taylor Down Under

This University-wide event is an open mic opportunity to reflect on the legacy and contributions of Dr. MLK, Jr. through a speak out, spoken word, poetry, and reflections. The Poetry Café showcases talented artists from all over the world in the genres of Poetry, Hip-Hop, and R&B.  The Poetry Café feeds your mind, your body and your soul. Backed by a live band, a phenomenal host and soulful vocals it is a campus favorite. Students come to the stage with poetry, songs, monologs, dances, raps and more! This event always proves to be a powerful outlet for all involved.

Dr. Lerone A. Martin is Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Martin Luther King, Jr., Centennial Chair and Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University.

Previously, he was a member of the faculty in the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics and Director of American Culture Studies at Washington University in Saint Louis.

Martin is the author of the award-winning Preaching on Wax: The Phonograph and the Making of Modern African American Religion (New York University Press, 2014). The book received the 2015 first book award by the American Society of Church History.

In support of his research, Martin has received a number of nationally recognized fellowships, including the National Endowment for the Humanities, The American Council of Learned Societies, The Institute for Citizens and Scholars (formerly The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation), The Teagle Foundation, Templeton Religion Trust, the Louisville Institute for the Study of American Religion, and the Forum for Theological Exploration. Most recently, Martin became Co-Director of a $1 million grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to fund “The Crossroads Project,” a four-year, multi-institution project to advance public understanding of the history, politics, and cultures of African American religions.

He has also been recognized for his teaching, receiving institutional teaching awards as well as fellowships from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion.

His commentary and writing have been featured in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, CNN, CSPAN, and PBS.

He is currently writing a book on the relationship between the FBI and white Christian Nationalism, to be published by Princeton University Press in 2022.