Kristin Ewing (L’20), who was a professional musical theater performer before she began her studies at Georgetown Law, says she was excited about the opportunity to perform in an event honoring King.
“I really enjoyed the chance to meet members of the Georgetown community at large as well as community choir members,” Ewing says. “The concert itself was a wonderful reaffirmation of what we are still fighting for. Also, when else would I get to sing backup for Chaka Khan?”
MLK Initiative events will take place throughout January, during African American History Month in February and around DC Emancipation Day in April.
Heidi Tseu, Georgetown’s director of local government affairs in the Office of Government Relations and Community Engagement, and Rev. Ebony Grisom, protestant chaplain for the university’s Main Campus and Law Center, serve as this year’s MLK Initiative co-chairs.
“The MLK Initiative continues to deepen and grow each year, enriched by the diverse expertise of Georgetown’s community of students, alumni, faculty, staff and partners in the District of Columbia,” Tseu says. “The initiative’s reach is a reflection of our collective commitment to Dr. King’s teachings.”
Grisom says the university’s commitment to King’s legacy can not only be found in upcoming events and discussions, but also within the classroom, where some faculty have incorporated MLK’s 1967 speech –“Where Do We Go From Here?” – into their curriculum.
“We want to consider the global impact of the Rev. Dr. King’s legacy from multiple angles and examine ways that the thread of his legacy is stitched throughout the Spirit of Georgetown,” Grisom says.
Follow Georgetown’s 2020 MLK Initiative Events for more programming throughout the semester.