Chicago Events
MLK Commemoration 2026 - Chicago Campus Events
In commemoration of the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are thrilled to announce the Chicago Campus’ MLK Commemoration 2026 programming. The Chicago Campus’ programming will take place from Tuesday, January 20, through Friday, January 23, 2026, in collaboration between Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, and Northwestern University.
The Chicago Campus programming is open to all Northwestern students, staff, and faculty. Please be aware that some events may require RSVPs and have limited space. Community members are therefore encouraged to RSVP to events as soon as possible.
Please see below for detailed information about each MLK Commemoration 2026 event.
Tuesday, January 20 | 5:00 – 6:00PM
Keynote Event Livestream Watch Party – Featuring Northwestern Faculty and Community Leaders
The MLK Commemoration 2026 Keynote will feature a panel of experts comprised of Northwestern faculty and community leaders. The panel will be moderated by Sylvester Johnson (Chair and Professor of Black Studies, Northwestern University), in conversation with Leslie Harris (Professor of History, Northwestern University), Kate Masur (John D. MacArthur Professor of History, Northwestern University), Morris “Dino” Robinson (Production Manager, Northwestern Press and Founder, Shorefront Legacy Center), and Laurice Bell (Executive Director, Shorefront Legacy Center). The Keynote will break down the concept, practice and possibilities of “Beloved Community” and 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. Dinner will be provided.
Location: Northwestern Pritzker School of Law (420 E. Superior St.), Rubloff 150
RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/m44gVNeMHr
Wednesday, January 21 | 12:00 – 1:00PM
“Confronting Homelessness and its Connection to MLK’s Economic Justice Activism” Panel Discussion
Please join us for a panel discussion titled “Confronting Homelessness and its Connection to MLK’s Economic Justice Activism”, moderated by Professor Neil Jordan (Professor, Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Preventative Medicine, and Medical Social Science, Feinberg School of Medicine). Professor Jordan will be in conversation with leading health equity and legal experts: Professor Leonard Jason (Professor, Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Community Psychology and Director of Center for Community Research, DePaul College of Science and Health); Niya Kelly (Director of State Legislative Policy, Transformation and Equity, Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness); and LaTanya R. Jackson Wilson (Vice President of Advocacy, Shriver Center on Poverty Law). The panelists will discuss homelessness in Chicago and its link to racism, poverty, housing policies, drug addiction and mental health issues. The discussion will also connect ending homelessness to MLK's economic justice activism, including the Chicago Freedom Movement and the Poor People's Campaign.
This Chicago Campus event is open to all Northwestern students, staff, and faculty. Lunch will be provided.
Location: Northwestern Pritzker School of Law (420 E. Superior St.), Rubloff 150
RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/U7ccJx7z69
Wednesday, January 21 | 1:00 – 4:00PM
Community Vendor Market
In connection with MLK Commemoration 2026 programming, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law’s Staff Engagement Allyship (SEA) Network is proud to present a Community Vendor Market, which provides an opportunity for the Northwestern community to purchase local goods and gifts from small and local-owned businesses based in the Chicagoland area.
This Chicago Campus event is open to all Northwestern students, staff, and faculty.
Location: Northwestern Pritzker School of Law (420 E. Superior St.), Martin Atrium
Thursday, January 22 | 12:00 – 1:00PM
A Dramatic Reading of “The Lawndale King”
Please join us for a special dramatic reading of excerpts from “The Lawndale King”, which depicts MLK’s negotiations with Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley leading to the 1966 Summit Agreement. As part of those historic negotiations, the Chicago Housing Authority promised to build better public housing, and the Mortgage Bankers Association agreed to end racial discrimination in mortgage assessments.
The dramatic reading will be performed by Collaboration, a theater and performing arts company dedicated to inciting social change through original devised theater and community engagement, cultivating knowledge, dialogue and action around Chicago’s most critical social issues.
This Chicago Campus event is open to all Northwestern students, staff, and faculty. Lunch will be provided following the event in Thorne Lobby.
Location: Northwestern Pritzker School of Law (420 E. Superior St.), Thorne Auditorium
RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/uCKyLGsprC
Friday, January 23 | 12:00 – 1:00PM
Chicago Campus Oratorical Contest
All Northwestern students enrolled in a full-time program (except for PhD students and student athletes) are invited to participate in the 2026 Oratorical Contest, which will be held virtually. The topic for this year’s contest is MLK and The Poor People’s Campaign: Have We Progressed or Fallen Behind in the Fight for Economic Equality? The top three contestants will be awarded a scholarship ranging from $500 to $200. Please see below and attached for further information regarding the 2026 Oratorical Contest topic, guidelines, and submission requirements. All Northwestern students, staff, and faculty are welcome to attend the virtual Oratorical Competition on January 23, 2026, via Zoom.
Student Submissions Due: Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 12:00PM CST via email to community@law.northwestern.edu.
Detailed Guidelines: See “2026 Chicago Campus Oratorical Contest Information” PDF .
Virtual Oratorical Competition: Friday, January 23, 2026, 12:00 - 1:00PM
Zoom Link for Virtual Oratorical Competition: https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/95691952246
Additional Information
Blog Post and Book Display on MLK and Economic Justice
The Pritzker Legal Research Center (NLaw Library) has developed a blog post and book display showcasing MLK’s and contemporary scholars’ work focusing on economic justice. The books are displayed in the case to the right of the NLaw Library entrance and are available to be checked out. You can access the link to the blog post here.
Call to Action: As the Northwestern Community reflects on MLK’s economic justice activism and his vision for a “Beloved Community”, the following are organizations in Chicago working to support those facing homelessness, in the event that you are interested in donating or volunteering:
Evanston Campus MLK Commemoration 2026 Programming: https://www.northwestern.edu/mlk/
Chicago Campus MLK Commemoration 2026 Programming: https://www.northwestern.edu/mlk/chicago-program/
Questions: community@law.northwestern.edu