Now that IU Indianapolis has canceled what would’ve been the 57th annual Martin Luther King Jr. dinner, students are taking matters into their own hands.
At least two student events have been planned as an alternative to the dinner, including an “eat-in” and protest Sunday, Jan. 18 at IU Indianapolis’ Campus Center and a community event Monday, Jan. 19 at Indianapolis Marriott East.
Meanwhile, the university’s Black Student Union is still working to make the MLK Dinner happen, president Anira Joseph told Mirror Indy.
Though the event won’t be officially associated with or funded by the university, and won’t take place during MLK weekend, Joseph said community members and organizations have volunteered to help pay for and put on the event.
“The MLK dinner is still going to happen,” Joseph said. “I will not let that legacy not continue underneath my presidency.”
IU Indianapolis’ cancellation of the annual dinner has attracted criticism from students, alumni and the community. On Jan. 7, the university’s Black Student Union put out a letter on Instagram criticizing the university’s decision.
Several days later, the university announced a whole week of events celebrating Martin Luther King Jr., including several workshops and a day of service in Indianapolis Friday, Jan. 23.
In a meeting of the IU Indianapolis Faculty Council Tuesday, Jan. 13, campus chancellor Latha Ramchand said the decision to cancel the dinner was made to stay within a budget and “within the parameters that the new political realities have defined for us.”
Students react
Alexandria Edmonds, a senior at IU Indianapolis, had attended the annual MLK dinner since she was in eighth grade. Her mom, who works at IU Indianapolis, usually got tickets.
Seeing the power of a student-led event celebrating Black people deeply affected Edmonds.
“Being Black and seeing this type of event go on to celebrate our Blackness was something that was not only inspiring, but seeing that at a (predominantly white institution) really caught my attention,” she said.
When Edmonds saw on Instagram the annual dinner had been canceled, she wanted to make sure that students had a place to go on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. With some help from community groups, she’s hosting an event Monday, Jan. 19 at the eastside Marriott hotel.
The event will feature some kind of performance, as well as community and student speakers.
“Especially in this political climate, it is important that we are celebrating our identity and celebrating who we are,” Edmonds said.
Unlike Edmonds, this year would’ve been senior Darrius Avery’s first time attending the annual dinner, and he was looking forward to it. But when the event was canceled, he wanted to send a message to the university: Black students and other minorities demand to be heard.
To that end, Avery will host a community potluck and protest from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18 in the IU Indianapolis campus center. He’s planning to have catering from a local soul food restaurant.
To Avery, it was important to create an environment rooted in community and celebration to honor MLK’s legacy — not just for Black students, but for everyone.
“We are nothing short of immaculate,” Avery said, “and we are always going to be here.”
After the Black Student Union posted its letter to Instagram Jan. 7, Joseph said she was overwhelmed and surprised by the amount of support she received from alumni, students, and community members.
“Black Student Union on IU Indianapolis’ campus do not play,” Joseph said. “Our passion lies from our history.”
With community support, students are working now to plan the event, and Joseph said they’re hoping to host the annual dinner in February, during Black History Month. She hopes that it will serve as a beacon of hope to Black alumni and community members that younger students are continuing the Black Student Union’s legacy of activism and advocacy.
“This year, the MLK dinner will be bigger than ever,” she said. “I think with all this publicity, it gives the older people a hope that the younger generation are still doing the work.”
University’s response
The MLK dinner was not the only cultural dinner that was canceled this year.
Under the IU Indianapolis Multicultural and LGBTQ+ Centers, the university hosted several dinners throughout the year, including the MLK Dinner in January, the César Chávez Dinner in March, the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American dinner in April and the Harvey Milk Dinner in October. A student involved with the Queer Student Union previously told Mirror Indy the Harvey Milk Dinner did not happen in October.
In the Jan. 13 meeting, Ramchand said the university will create a task force made up of students, faculty, staff and community leaders to reimagine all these dinners, not just the MLK event. That task force, Ramchand said, will be led by Joseph Tucker Edmonds, a professor of religious studies and Africana studies at IU Indianapolis. Joseph, the BSU president, told Mirror Indy she will be on the task force, too.
In response to follow-up questions about the student events and the task force, IU spokesperson Mark Bode referred Mirror Indy to a written update from Ramchand, which was similar to her comments from the Jan. 13 faculty meeting.
In the faculty meeting, Ramchand said that in thinking about what she could have done better, she could have formed the task force in the fall. But, she said, she looks forward to the work that will be done to reimagine what cultural celebrations look like at IU Indianapolis.
“While we do not have a dinner planned this year, this event is not going away,” Ramchand said. “Rather, we are in a moment of transition and the work of this task force will help us create the next iteration of all these celebrations.”
Upcoming events
You can attend Avery’s potluck protest from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18 at the IU Indianapolis Campus Center, 420 University Blvd. No registration is required.
Edmonds’ community event will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19 at the Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 E. 21st St. The dress code is business casual.
IU Indianapolis planned a week of events for MLK Day, including several workshops, an open mic and a day of service in the Indianapolis community Friday, Jan. 23. You can find the full schedule of events on IU Indianapolis’ website.
The university is also partnering with Madam Walker Legacy Center to offer more students tickets to an MLK event featuring author and former South Carolina state representative Bakari Sellers Monday, Jan. 19.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Claire Rafford covers higher education for Mirror Indy in partnership with Open Campus. Contact Claire by email claire.rafford@mirrorindy.org, on most social media @clairerafford or on Signal 317-759-0429.
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