Chicago Events
MLK Commemoration 2025 - Chicago Campus Events
Tuesday, January 21 | 5:00PM
Livestream of Shermann "Dilla" Thomas keynote
Location: Pritzker School of Law, Rubloff Building Room 150
Northwestern’s Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration 2025 keynote will feature Shermann Dilla Thomas, a Chicago historian, cultural storyteller, and social media influencer dedicated to showcasing the rich history of Chicago’s neighborhoods. Dilla has gained recognition for his viral TikTok videos and Chicago Mahogany Tours, which celebrate the City’s cultural and historical legacy while reshaping narratives about its significance. The keynote address will be livestreamed from the Evanston Campus to Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. The Chicago Campus viewing is open to all Northwestern students, staff, and faculty. Register to attend the livestreamed keynote.
Wednesday, January 22 | 12:00PM
“A Conversation on Redlining, Segregation, and Urban Renewal in Chicago,” featuring Dr. Franklin Cosey-Gay (Executive Director of the Urban Health Initiative’s Community and External Affairs at University of Chicago Medicine); Professor Len Rubinowitz (Professor of Law at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law); and Dr. Nicole Fields (Assistant Professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine), moderated by Professor Eric Sirota (Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Tenant Advocacy Center at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law)
Location: Pritzker School of Law, Rubloff Building Room 150
This Chicago Campus event is open to all Northwestern students, staff, and faculty. The event will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in-person. Please register to receive zoom link.
Thursday, January 23 | 12:00PM
Screening of “Punch 9 for Harold Washington” and Discussion/Q&A with Executive Producer Raymond Lambert
Location: Pritzker School of Law, Lincoln Hall, LM 104
A special screening of “Punch 9 for Harold Washington,” which chronicles the rise, reign, and enduring legacy of Chicago’s first Black mayor. This documentary features candid interviews with Reverend Jesse Jackson, Vice Mayor Richard Mell, Valerie Jarret, David Axelrod, and others as they recount Mayor Washington’s victory in a highly-contested election that helped pave the way for the Obama presidency. Punch 9’s Executive Producer, Raymond Lambert, will join us for the event to lead an interactive discussion and Q&A. This Chicago Campus event is open to all Northwestern students, staff, and faculty. (If you are unable to stay until 2:30pm for the entirety of the film and discussion, you will have the opportunity to depart from the event between 1:00-1:15pm.). Register for the January 23 screening.
Friday, January 24 | 12:00PM
Chicago Campus Oratorical Contest
Location: Zoom
This year, the oratorical contest topic asks contestants to reflect on whether the City of Chicago has either achieved or fallen short of the Chicago Freedom Movement’s campaign to end unfair housing practices. Submissions due Thursday, January 16 at 12pm CT.
The competition is open to all Chicago campus students and all Chicago campus staff. Students must be currently enrolled in a program on the Chicago Campus of Northwestern University, including the Feinberg School of Medicine, The Graduate School, the Kellogg School of Management, the Pritzker School of Law, the School of Professional Studies, and Allied Health Programs. All contestants must be available to participate in the Oratorical Competition on Friday, January 24, 2025, from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CST. The competition will take place on Zoom.
Applications should be sent to diversity@law.northwestern.edu no later than 12:00 p.m. CST on January 16, 2025.
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Questions regarding Chicago campus events contact diversity@law.northwestern.edu