Martin Luther King Jr. addresses a crowd from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast

22nd Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast event header

Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

22nd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast

Each year, UMass Dartmouth hosts a special breakfast event to honor and celebrate the enduring legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. The event features student performances, readings, and a keynote speech from an esteemed speaker as a tribute to his vision, leadership, and commitment to equality and justice.

Date and Time

  • Date: Friday, January 26, 2024
  • Time: 8:30 a.m.
  • Location: The Marketplace

Event Highlights

This year's event theme is "The "Woke" Walk-Back: An Open Dialogue With Theo Wilson." 

Theo E.J. Wilson is an author, poet, and advocate for social justice. In the wake of social movements, 2020 ushered in an era of organizations making commitments to ensure their businesses were more equitable and inclusive. Now, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) positions face disproportionate austerity, and its leaders have either left their posts or are facing burnout. Using his humorous, witty, and tactfully truthful approach to tough issues, Wilson will address the current restructuring with an open, honest, and respectful dialogue on creating a mutually beneficial environment for all. He uses his humanistic philosophy to break the ice in today's often-charged conversation around DEI, allowing for an open, nurturing, and inclusive dialogue to truly understand the challenges DEI initiatives face today.

Known as "The New Black Klansman," Wilson is a founding member of the Denver Slam Nuba team, who won the National Poetry Slam in 2011 and began his speaking career with the N.A.A.C.P. at 15 and has always been passionate about social justice. Wilson is the executive director of Shop Talk Live, Inc. The organization uses the barbershop as a staging ground for community dialogue and healing.  After viral video success in 2015, he published his first book in 2017, The Law of Action, which addresses some misconceptions about the law of attraction and direct action's role in manifestation. Wilson attended Florida A&M University, where he obtained his B.A. in theater performance.

The morning will feature a full breakfast, remarks from Chancellor Mark A. Fuller and UMassD students, and live musical performances. The 22nd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast is sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Location & Parking

The event will be held at the Marketplace, located across from the Campus Center and above the Frederick Douglass Unity House. Parking is available in Lots 5 and 6.

Contact Information

For inquiries or additional information, please contact:

Patricia Freitas at 508-999-8810 or pfreitas@umassd.edu.