UNC Charlotte announces Niner Nation King Week events, Jan. 12-19

UNC Charlotte’s Niner Nation King Week, which takes place Jan. 12-19, aligns with the annual national holiday that celebrates the life and legacy of civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Niner Nation King Week 2024 activities include informative presentations, collaborative dialogue, film viewings, community engagement and service.

For Niner Nation King Week’s signature event Thursday. Jan. 18 (register below), UNC Charlotte welcomes business and civil rights leader Harvey B. Gantt, who served from 1983-87 as Charlotte’s first Black mayor. Gantt will engage in a public conversation moderated by Honors College student Serena Kamdem that will explore his life, legacy and leadership, particularly as they relate to King’s mission and how they are relevant to today’s environment. He will appear in Cone University Center, McKnight Hall, at 5 p.m.

“Dr. King’s accomplishments remind us that an ordinary person can do extraordinary things to make a difference in ways that inspire all of us to be our best in service and community,” said Chief Diversity Officer Brandon L. Wolfe. “Harvey Gantt’s legacy of business leadership, public service and commitment to civil rights best exemplifies how to make Dr. King’s message actionable. We are extremely fortunate for this opportunity to learn and draw inspiration from a man whose contributions have helped to shape the Queen City.”

All events for Niner Nation King Week 2024 are open to the public. For more information, visit diversity.charlotte.edu/mlk.

Friday, Jan. 12
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Grimes Lounge, Johnson C. Smith University
“Continuing the Dream: A Conversation Among D9 Members;” sponsored by UNC Charlotte, Atrium Health and the city of Charlotte. No registration required.

Saturday, Jan. 13
9 a.m. to noon, City of Charlotte’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade
Register to walk with the UNC Charlotte Black Alumni Chapter, a first-time sponsor of this annual citywide event that features 100-plus community organizations, marching bands and step and drill teams. Parade route: Tryon Street from Ninth Street to Stonewall Street.

Tuesday, Jan. 16
10 to 11:15 a.m., Burson Hall, Room 115
“And Still I Rise: How Maya Angelou Met the African American Greats, James Baldwin, MLK and Malcom X” (Part 1); sponsored by Global Connections classes and the Department of Africana Studies. No registration required.

5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Popp Martin Student Union Theater
“Breaking Boundaries: A Southern Exposure Film Festival and Panel Discussion;” sponsored by the Office of Sustainability. Registration required.

Wednesday, Jan. 17
4 to 5 p.m., Cone University Center, McKnight Hall
“Martin Luther King Jr.’s Stand against the Vietnam War: The Social Gospel at Work,” presented by Rich Leeman, communication studies; sponsored by the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences. No registration required.

6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Dale F. Halton Arena, Barnhardt Student Activity Center
Women’s Basketball v. Tulane; free for students with 49er ID ($5 without ID), $7 for adults, $5 for youth; faculty and staff receive $2 off the adult rate; groups of 10 or more pay $3 per person. Ticket information.

Thursday, Jan. 18
10 to 11:15 a.m., Burson Hall, Room 115
“And Still I Rise: How Maya Angelou Met the African American Greats, James Baldwin, MLK and Malcom X” (Part 2); sponsored by Global Connections classes and the Department of Africana Studies.

5 to 6 p.m., Cone University Center, McKnight Hall
“An Evening with Harvey Gantt, Civil Rights Leader and Charlotte’s First Black Mayor;” a conversation that explores Gantt’s life, leadership and legacy, moderated by Honors College student Serena Kamdem; sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Registration required.

Friday, Jan. 19
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 3 p.m., Jamil Niner Student Pantry, 1224 John Kirk Dr.
A community service opportunity for a maximum of 15 volunteers per shift. Each shift will conclude with a reflection about MLK’s messages and how they connect to the student pantry. Register through Niner Engage to volunteer at 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Student Gardens near Storrs and Robinson halls (rain date, Jan. 26)
TLC for the Student Gardens, which provide food for the Jamil Niner Student Pantry and plants for botany research and art classes. Volunteers will clean up, replenish soil and apply mulch; tools and refreshments provided. Register by Jan. 17.

For additional consideration, the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have collaborated to expand the community’s observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day through the Charlotte-Mecklenburg MLK National Holiday Celebration with several events.

UNC Charlotte is committed to an accessible campus. To request accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals should complete a request form or email the request to accessibility.charlottewp.psapp.dev, or contact the Office of Disability Services at 704‑687‑0040 (tty/v). Requests should be made seven business days prior