Monday, December 2nd – Friday, December 6th

Event Policy: This event has a no refund policy.

Each semester, the Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub hosts ceremonies in honor of our SIUE graduates representing various historically underrepresented populations. These pre-commencement ceremonies celebrate the extraordinary achievements made by students who are members of traditionally minoritized groups. The ceremonies are implemented in collaboration with the SOAR Office and SIUE Safe Zone. These pre-commencement ceremonies do not replace regular campus or individual school and college graduation ceremonies.

Wednesday, January 22nd at 11:00 AM

Event Policy: No refunds - This event has a no refund policy.

In collaboration with partners on campus and in the community, SIUE’s Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub hosts a luncheon in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. annually. Highlights of the luncheon include a keynote speaker, musical performances and the awarding of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards: SIUE Student Scholarship; Humanitarian Award(s); and Youth Essay, Poetry and Visual Arts Contest (for local youth).

Students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to apply or nominate for the awards throughout the fall semester. Applications opened on September 1, 2024 and close on November 24, 2024 and details for applications and nominations can be found on our website.

We are pleased to announce our keynote speaker for the 42^nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is Donzaleigh Abernathy! Ms. Abernathy is the goddaughter of Dr. King, daughter of Rev. Ralph David Abernathy, and an award-winning actress and writer. She is a founding Trustee of the New Visions Foundation/Coalition for Engaged Education and a former Vice President of the Board and New Roads Schools. She was a Spokesperson for the CDC’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Program and for Amnesty International. She currently volunteers for Juveniles in the Los Angeles County Justice System.

This year’s celebration theme is Let Us March On. This theme stems from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech “Our God is Marching On” that he delivered on March 25, 1965 on the steps of the State Capital Building at the conclusion of the Selma to Montgomery march. This 54-mile march had 25,000 participants protesting the racism and oppression that African Americans faced at the polls while exercising their constitutional right to vote.

“… I want to say to the people of America and the nations of the world, that we are not about to turn around. We are on the move now… The only normalcy that we will settle for is the normalcy of brotherhood, the normalcy of true peace, the normalcy of justice.”

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Registration will close on Wednesday, January 15th.

For accommodation questions, contact myaccess@siue.edu or 618-650-3726 in advance of your participation. For all other questions, please contact MLKCelebration@siue.edu or 618-650-2686.

For information and to make a donation to the SIUE Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Endowment please click here.

SIUE departments and offices interested in making ticket or table purchases can contact the Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub at MLKCelebration@siue.edu or 618-650-2686.

Interested in being a sponsor? Click here for more details and contact us MLKCelebration@siue.edu or 618-650-2686. 

Friday, November 1st at 7:30 PM

Event Policy: No refunds or exchanges - This event has a no refund policy.

Join us as we celebrate American Opera and Musical Theatre. Performance will include scenes from Guys and Dolls, Porgy and Bess, Our Town, Carousel, Street Scene, Susanna, Waitress, and Ragtime.

Tuesday, December 3rd at 7:30 PM

Event Policy: No refunds or exchanges - This event has a no refund policy.

Join us for a cheerful night of celebrating the end of the semester, the beginning of winter and the holiday season, and the joy of sharing this magical season with loved ones.

"'Tis the Season!"

featuring the SIUE Choral Ensembles:

Choral Union, Concert Chorale: Dr. Nikos Myrogiannis Koukos, director

Treble Choir, Dr. Alicia Vorel, director

Rebecca Koebbe and Charles Brockus, collaborating pianists

With special guest appearance by:

Cello Choir, Dr. Marta Simidtchieva

Flute Choir, Dr. Shelly Monier

Saturday, December 7th at 7:30 PM

Event Policy: No refunds or exchanges - This event has a no refund policy.

Thursday, December 5th at 7:00 PM

Event Policy: No Refunds or Exchanges - This event has a no refund policy.

Thinner Than Water
by Melissa Ross
Directed by Geovonday Jones

When their father falls ill, three estranged half-siblings reunite. As the world around them crumbles, they argue with each other and with everyone around them in a desperate struggle to do the right thing and mend their rapidly deteriorating lives. THINNER THAN WATER is a blood-raw, wicked comedy-drama about fighting through the thick and thin of family.

Saturday, February 15th at 2:00 PM

Event Policy: No Refunds or Exchanges - This event has a no refund policy.

Blood at the Root
by Dominque Morriseau
Black Theatre Workshop Production
Directed by Adrianna Jones
A striking new ensemble drama based on the Jena Six; six Black students who were initially charged with attempted murder for a school fight after being provoked with nooses hanging from a tree on campus. This bold new play by Dominique Morisseau (Sunset Baby, Detroit '67, Skeleton Crew) examines the miscarriage of justice, racial double standards, and the crises in relations between men and women of all classes and, as a result, the shattering state of Black family life.