The celebration
Tributes and recognition of Dr. King and the achievements of the civil rights movement have been celebrated at ASU since long before the creation of a state holiday in Arizona. A highlight of the celebration is the recognition and awards ceremony for the Arizona K-12 students who are winners of the statewide essay-poster contest. A children’s march on the West Valley campus and other events are also held.
Events
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Offices and classrooms on all ASU campuses are closed to observe the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
MLK March on West
The 35th Annual MLK March on West
A tradition at Arizona State University’s West Valley campus that dates back to 1991, reaching middle school students, members of the ASU community and the public to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and to understand the history-changing 1963 March on Washington. This in-person event will include educational presentations about the history of the civil rights movement, a musical program and an inspirational rendition of the “I Have a Dream” speech by ASU faculty member Charles St. Clair. Email MLKWest@asu.edu for more information.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Breakfast
For community members, students, winners of the poster-essay contest and their parents, teachers and principals. By invitation. For more information, contact Diney Ransford at (480) 965-3892.
Changemaker Day of Service
The ASU MLK Celebration Committee and Changemaker Central at ASU would like to invite you to be a “Changemaker” by joining us for an important Day of Service January 24, 2026 honoring Dr. Martin Luther King.
MLK Peace Dinner
This show is a music, spoken word, and multi-media production by Dr. Ron McCurdy (Music Professor at University of Southern California and member of the Grammy Foundation) and is based on Langston Hughes’ masterwork, “Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz”. This epic poem serves as Hughes’ social commentary for the struggle for freedom and equality for Africans and African Americans in the 1960s. While it was written more than 50 years ago, the words continue to be uniquely relevant and timely today.
Paid or cross-park parking is available in Lot 10