Join the Celebration
Monday January 19, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Each year, Ohio University celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the month of January. The celebration acknowledges the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with inclusive OHIO and regional communities tributes that highlight equality and social justice. We honor Dr. King for his work toward racial equality and justice for all people and for his dedication to nonviolence.
Events
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service-Chillicothe
Monday, January 19
9:00 AM — 1:00 PM
Chillicothe Public Library
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebratory Brunch
Monday, January 19
10:00 AM — 12:00 PM
Baker University Center
MLK Day Film Screening: Aint No Back to a Merry Go Round
Monday, January 19
1:00 PM — 3:00 PM
Athena Cinema
Spring Campus & Community Involvement Fair
Tuesday, January 20
11:00 AM — 3:00 PM
Charles J. Ping Student Recreation Center
False Promises: A Conversation with Author Ric Sheffield, JD (MLK Week Virtual Event)
Thursday, January 22
6:00 PM — 7:00 PM
MLK Jr. Silent March and Brunch
A silent march will take place on January 19, 2026 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Galbreath Chapel, followed by brunch in the Baker University Center Ballroom at 10 a.m.
Speakers
Joy Bivens
Joy Bivens oversees the Franklin County Board of Commissioners’ health and human services agencies. As Deputy County Administrator, she oversees the Department Job and Family Services, the county's largest agency and core social safety net, as well as the Office on Aging, Child Support Enforcement Agency and the Office of Justice Policy and Programs.
In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, Bivens also serves as vice chair of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Human Services and Education subcommittee, providing a voice for Franklin County’s most vulnerable residents on the national level. In 2020, she testified at a House Ways and Means subcommittee hearing on strategies for combatting child poverty and she has tapped to present at numerous national conferences and panels.
In 2017, she was recognized by Dress for Success-Columbus as one of Ten Women Trailblazers and in 2018 she was named Public Service Ambassador of the Year by Greater Columbus Community Helping Hands, Inc. In April 2022, she was honored by the YWCA of Central Ohio as a Woman of Achievement.
David Butcher
David Butcher, Executive Director of the Tablertown People of Color Museum, founded the museum as a semblance of honor for his family’s cultural heritage. He has held a longtime vision for birthing social change through meaningful conversations about race and lineage.
While collaborating with numerous organizations to secure and sustain the future of Tablertown, Mr. Butcher’s initiatives have drawn thousands of museum visitors from across the country. His community service has included serving as Board President for the Kilvert Community Center, Chair for the Kilvert Church Plaque Dedication, and Board Member for the Southeast Ohio History Center, Central Region Humanities Center, and Rural Action.
Tickets and Sponsors
Campus and community partners can sponsor the event for $500 and receive an 8-person table. Email account information to Cailin Johnson (for campus partners) or fill out the form (for community partners). Student organizations can reserve an 8-person table at no cost by emailing Cailin Johnson (cjohnson777@ohio.edu) with the name of their student organization and the number of members attending.
Students tickets are free, tickets are $30 for all other guests.