MLK Week 2026

Building the Beloved Community

This year, Baldwin Wallace University and the Berea Community are celebrating MLK Week with the theme "Building the Beloved Community," inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of a society grounded in justice, equity and shared humanity.

The Beloved Community calls us to work together to eliminate poverty, hunger and homelessness through compassion, service and meaningful action.

Throughout the week, we'll honor Dr. King's legacy by creating opportunities to connect, serve and uplift one another, strengthening our campus and local communities through collaboration, empathy and collective responsibility.

The 36th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration is sponsored by Baldwin Wallace University in conjunction with the Berea community and the Campus/Community MLK Week Committee 2026.

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

For more information, call the Center for Inclusion at (440) 826-2395.

Schedule of Events

Monday-Saturday, January 19-24

Berea-Midpark High School MLK Art Show
During library hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. & Friday-Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cuyahoga County Public Library - Berea Branch
7 Berea Commons

View artwork created by Berea-Midpark High School students. The students' pieces are inspired by the MLK Week 2026 theme, "Building the Beloved Community."

Building the Beloved Community Murals
During library hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. & Friday-Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m
Cuyahoga County Public Library - Berea Branch
7 Berea Commons
Strosacker Hall
125 Tressel St.

Stop by either location and create artwork or write a message to be included in a mural reflecting the theme of "Building the Beloved Community."

Monday, January 19

Prayer Breakfast
9 - 10 a.m.
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
200 Mt. Zion Way

Join us for a reflective celebration featuring music, readings and keynote speaker Deacon Harold Stewart, who will present "We've all Been Affected."

Sponsored by Mt. Zion Baptist Church

MLK Day of Service: Building the Beloved Community – Building Together
5 - 8 p.m.
Center for Innovation and Growth (CIG)
340 Front St.

During this campus- and community-wide service project, volunteers will work collaboratively on two hands-on initiatives:

Creating winter care kits for unhoused members of our local community.
Preparing and sorting books for the Cleveland Kids' Book Bank, supporting literacy access throughout Northeast Ohio.

We hope you will consider joining us in this important work.

In addition to volunteer participation, we are also collecting non-perishable food items for the BW Campus Pantry, which supports students experiencing food insecurity.

All contributions of time, resources and/or service make a meaningful difference.

Tuesday, January 20

Women in History: Fannie Lou Hamer
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Cuyahoga County Public Library - Berea Branch
7 Berea Commons

Women in History actress Robin Echols Cooper will portray Fannie Lou Hamer, who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential voices of the civil rights movement. Registration is requested.

Sponsored by the Friends of Berea Library, this special program is on the National Day of Racial Healing.

Wednesday, January 21

MLK Movie Night: "Selma" (2014)
8:45 - 10:45 p.m.
Marting Hall, Room 114
50 Seminary St.

"Selma" is the story of a movement. The film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement.

Director Ava DuVernay's "Selma" tells the real story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history.

NOTE: This is a free screening with limited seating.

Sponsored by the BW Film Society

Thursday, January 22

Refresh Ecumenical Service
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Lindsay-Crossman Chapel, Sanctuary (2nd floor)
56 Seminary St.

Refresh is a weekly fellowship where we pause from the busyness of campus life to connect through music, community and reflection. One of our traditions is "Sunshine & Rain," a space to share what's going well and the challenges we're facing. Afterward, we take a moment together in silence, holding one another with care and support.

Bring a friend, a colleague or just yourself. No matter your background or beliefs, Refresh is a space for everyone to breathe, recharge and feel connected. We can't wait to see you there!

Sponsored by the Black Student Alliance and the BW Office of Spiritual Life

Saturday, January 24

Social Change Summit
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Center for Innovation and Growth (CIG)
340 Front St.

Designed by students for students, this professional development event offers valuable tools for academic and career success. Highlights include a student panel on time management and self-care, along with workshops on resume building, LinkedIn, graduate school applications, CASA resources and internship opportunities.

The summit also provides free food, refreshments and networking opportunities, making it an excellent chance to gain skills, connect with peers and prepare for future goals.

Sponsored by the David & Frances Brain Center for Community Engagement

NOTE: This event is open only to BW students. Registration is required.