The 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration kicks off with the Peace Breakfast on Monday, Jan. 19, and concludes with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Saturday, Jan. 31. This year marks the 44th anniversary of the commemoration event.
The annual Peace Breakfast, held on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, commemorates the life and legacy of King while honoring members of the Oregon State community who carry his message and work forward in the present. The Peace Breakfast is free and open to Oregon State University community members and specially invited guests. During the breakfast, winners of four legacy awards will be announced. They have been awarded by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration committee and include the Phyllis S. Lee Award, the Frances Dancy Hooks Award, the Oscar Humberto Montemayor Award and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alumni Legacy Award. The event takes place from 9-10:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 19, in the CH2M Hill Alumni Center ballroom. Register here.
At 7 p.m., Jan. 19, PRAx presents “Kings Return.” PRAx has partnered with the OSU Office of Institutional Diversity and the MLK Day Programming Committee to bring this a cappella ensemble back for a special Martin Luther King Jr. Day program. Although their sound has earned comparisons to Take 6 and Boyz II Men, what sets Kings Return apart is their seamless integration of genres and styles, weaving together the grooves of R&B, free moments of jazz, bright touches of pop and soulful bursts of gospel. Tickets are $10, or $5 for students, and are available here.
Speaking Justice with Marcus Lattimore is intended to engage in a dialogue with the community through spoken word, poetry, and art as the medium. Lattimore, a former NFL running back and the 2024 Oregon's Grand Slam Poetry Champion, will participate in two events on Jan. 22. An afternoon workshop will be held from 1-3 p.m., Jan. 22 in the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center. He will also host a poetry event from 5-7 p.m., Jan. 22, in the SEC Lobby.
Community Engagement & Leadership is hosting the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Saturday of Service. Students, faculty, staff and their partners and children are all invited to participate in OSU’s largest and longest-running day of service of the year. There are a wide range of projects fit for anyone’s interests, from crafting to cooking lunch for participants or being outdoors. Project times and locations vary, see the registration page for details. Held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jan. 31, this Saturday of Service commemorates King’s life and legacy of serving others and his vision for strong, beloved communities. These projects engage volunteers in meaningfully strengthening the local community and caring for neighbors. A light breakfast and hot lunch will be provided to volunteers (while supplies last), as well as transportation to and from service projects. Check-in will be held at the MU Horizon Room. Sign-up today here.
Additionally, OSU-Cascades will be holding its second annual Peace Breakfast from 10 a.m. to noon, Jan. 19, at OSU-Cascades Edward J. Ray Hall. This year’s theme is "Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way." Sherm Bloomer, chancellor and dean of OSU-Cascades, will be the welcome speaker and Lakayana Yotoma Drury, executive director of Word is Bond and Vice Chair of Oregon Commission on Black Affairs, will be the 2026 keynote speaker. Register here.
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