Annual MLK Commemorative Celebration

35th Annual Celebration

On January 16, 2026, Florida International University will host our 35th Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Commemorative Breakfast—to honor one of the world’s most renowned leaders.

The MLK Commemorative Celebration, a premier university event, is a world-class community celebration attracting local dignitaries and students from various schools to pay homage to Dr. King’s life and legacy.

Over the past 30+ years, FIU’s MLK Commemorative Celebration evolved from a single event to a month-long series of festivities, that has included the: MLK Commemorative Breakfast, Robert M. Coatie MLK Youth Forum & Peace Walk, MLK Day of Service, MLK at the Frost Museum Exhibit, the Black Student Union's MLK Dinner, and FIU's Contingent at the MLK Day Parade held in Liberty City, Miami.

This annual commemoration is possible thanks to the support of sponsors, donors, Student Government Association, various departments and colleges within FIU, and the dedicated MLK committee that plans the event ten months in advance.

All programs and events are open to all FIU students and members of the FIU community.

2026 Dotson Family MLK Keynote Speaker

Kevin Powell

Kevin Powell, who is one of the most celebrated political, cultural, literary, and hip-hop voices in America. He is a prolific writer and a GRAMMY-nominated poet; Kevin is a heavily sought-after public speaker who has lectured in all 50 states and on five continents. A native son of Jersey City, New Jersey, the human and civil rights activist has been engaged with nearly every democratic movement of the latter 20th and early 21st centuries, either as a servant-leader, a behind-the-scenes advocate, or in a leadership position with fellow writers, artists, and change agents. In 2008 and 2010, Kevin ran for the United States Congress in his adopted hometown of Brooklyn, New York."

Donate to the FIU MLK Fund!

Use this link to donate to the FIU's MLK Commemorative Celebration. Donations to the FIU MLK Foundation Account will support any expenses related to hosting MLK Commemorative Celebration events and providing MLK scholarships to the students.

Donate Now

Sponsors and donors

A special thank you to our sponsors for their continued support of the Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration.

Corporate Sponsors

Blue Sponsor

Panther Sponsor

2025 Sponsors

African & African Diaspora Studies
Barnes & Noble at FIU
Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
Chartwells
College of Arts, Sciences & Education
College of Business
College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts
College of Law
Honors College
Maurice A. Ferré Institute for Civic Leadership
Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Office of Alumni Relations
Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work
Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs
Student Government Association
The Bob Moses Research Center for Math Literacy Through Public Education
The Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum

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