News

Lee University will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month in a series of special seminars, exhibits, music performances, and other gatherings between Feb. 17 and March 19.  

Due to the snowfall on January 15, the events previously scheduled to honor MLK Jr. will take place over the next several weeks.  “There is no better time to celebrate the impact Dr. King’s life and work has on our world than during Black History Month and beyond,” said Gloria Scott-Richmond, director of the Office of Racial and Ethnic Relations at Lee. “This will be a time of inspiration and education, a time to think and reflect on who we are and who we aspire to be – a school that listens well and is aware of biblical equity and empathy.”  

The events kick off on Saturday, Feb. 17, with the community worship service in the Walker Lecture Hall, located in the Science and Math Complex (SMC).  

“We look forward to joining with the city of Cleveland, our brothers and sisters, and churches from the north, south, east, and west to worship and celebrate…together!” says Scott-Richmond.  

Exhibits and displays representing historical trailblazers will be housed in various academic buildings on campus Monday, Feb. 19 – Thursday, Feb. 29. 

On Monday, Feb. 19, The Living Museum will take place in the Centenary Room, located in the Higginbotham Administration Building, along with a variety of seminars and student presentations around campus, from 5-8 p.m. The Living Museum will feature students from Lee, and other local schools, depicting historical figures.  

On Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 5-7:30 p.m., there will be an MLK Jr. Civil Rights Quiz Bowl in the Walker Lecture Hall. At the same time, there will be Reading Rooms for grades Pre-K – 12 in Squires Library. Reflection spaces will also be available for all ages in Squires during this same time frame. 

The Drum Circle, open to anyone who wants to come play or watch, will take place on Thursday, Feb. 22, between 6-7:15 p.m. in the SMC Great Room, while MLK Jr.’s lesser-known speeches will be showing in the Communication Arts Screening Room.   

On Friday, Feb. 29, from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Lee will host an interactive art activity in the Communication Arts Building with Mary Mathias-Dickerson, associate professor of art. Lee’s Evangelistic Singers, directed by Scott-Richmond, and Dr. Ruthie Wienk, assistant professor of sociology, will host Music of Civil Rights at the Cultural Center at 5ive Points Museum, located on Inman Street East, from 7-8 p.m. 

On Tuesday, March 5, at 6:30 p.m., senior Cleveland residents will share stories of their life before and after desegregation: “A Life…On: Cleveland Trailblazers.” This will take place in the SMC Walker Lecture Hall.    

The university’s celebratory events were scheduled to conclude in the Walker Lecture Hall at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, with Songs & Stories: A Singalong Tribute to Richard Smallwood. This event has now been rescheduled to take place on January 24, 2025. 

Community members are invited to join the Lee family for each event. “We are excited to celebrate both Black History Month and the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the Cleveland community and the Lee University family,” said Dr. Debbie Murray, Lee provost. “There’s something here for everyone, and I hope many will join us.”  

For more information or a detailed schedule of the Black History Month events, visit leeuniversity.edu/ethnic-relations or call (423) 614-8238.