Northern Michigan University will honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. during a week-long celebration. The public is invited to participate. 

Activities begin on Monday, Jan. 18, the federal holiday marking King’s birthday. No classes are held at NMU in observance of the holiday. An MLK March for Equality will begin at noon at the Payne/Halverson lobby and proceed to the Peter White Lounge of the University Center, where there will be food and speakers addressing race and diversity. Following the presentations, participants will engage in service projects, including book readings at the U.P. Children’s Museum and volunteering at the Salvation Army. In the Peter White Lounge, some will make blankets and knitted items that will be distributed to community organizations such as the Women’s Center, Harbor House and Room at the Inn. Others will make cards for veterans.  

Author and motivational speaker Antoine Moss, known as the “Man of Inspiration,” will deliver the keynote presentation on Thursday, Jan. 21. He will address “Three Steps to Becoming Unstoppable with Your Purpose and Mission in Life” at 7 p.m. in the Cadillac/Brule Rooms of the University Center. Admission is free. He will combine his passion and personal stories with the dreams and goals set forth by Martin Luther King Jr. Moss is the author of Learn to Intern CEO Style, based on his professional experience from internships with NASA, the FBI and the U.S. Congress. More recently, he partnered with Les Brown, George Fraser and other influential leaders to write an Amazon #1 bestseller, Mission Unstoppable: Extraordinary Stories of Failure’s Blessings.

NMU’s 20th annual Drag Show will culminate the week of equality at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, in Vandament Arena. Admission is free for NMU students and $5 for others. There is no reserved seating. NMU’s revitalized student group, OUTlook, will host the event.

For more information, contact the NMU Multicultural Education and Resource Center at 227-1554, or the NMU Volunteer Center at 227-2466.