2025 MLK Day celebration schedule

Monday, Nov. 18, 2024-Monday, Jan. 20, 2025
Various locations

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of service, we invite you to participate in the Augustana Community Book Drive, a campus-wide service project aimed at supporting young readers in our community. This book drive is part of a week-long series of events for MLK 2025 that we will host to honor Dr. King’s legacy and continue his work.

Drop-off locations (weekdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m.):

• Reading/Writing Center (Gerber Center 423)
• CORE (Olin Center, first floor)
• Office of Human Resources (Sorensen Hall, second floor)
• Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Bahls CLC 101)

We are collecting brand new or like-new diverse books for children ages 4-12. All books will be donated to Longfellow Liberal Arts Elementary School, helping to inspire young minds and promote a love for reading.

If you have questions, please reach out to inclusion@augustana.edu or readingwritingcenter@augustana.edu.

Monday, Jan. 20, 2025
Noon-1:30 p.m.
Gerber Center for Student Life, Gävle rooms

Join us for a panel discussion, "Empowering Communities and Shaping Our Future," featuring inspiring community leaders whose work exemplifies Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of service, justice, and empowerment.

Through engaging stories and thoughtful dialogue, our panelists will share how they have turned inspiration into meaningful action to create positive change in their communities. Be part of this impactful conversation and leave empowered to use your unique talents and passions to make a difference, serve others, uplift your community and advocate for justice.

→ Event page

Moderator

Dr. Wolff, Associate Professor of Religion

Panelists 

• Avery Pearl '18 (West End Revitalization Coordinator, MLK Center)
• Tee LeShoure (Community Violence Intervention and Engagement Director, Family Resources; Founder, Tee It Up; President, QC Pride Board)
• Julie Larson (President and CEO, YWCA Quad Cities)
• Jen Osing '14 (Executive Director, World Relief Quad Cities)

About the panelists

Avery Pearl is a Quad-Cities native who graduated from United Township High School in 2014. He graduated from Augustana College in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He has also received a RBSI master's certificate from Duke University. 

Upon graduation, he opened a recording studio with his brother in East Moline and began working in the nonprofit sector. Currently working as a West End Revitalization Coordinator for the City of Rock Island, Pearl is passionate about urban development and turning dilapidated communities into thriving assets. He has served on numerous boards and currently serves on the Community Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence board, Ascentra's Community Development Advisory Board, Azubuike African American Council for the Arts, and more. 

Through Pearl's independent nonprofit consulting, he supports community organizing and navigation for organizations that serve vulnerable communities and populations within the Quad Cities. In his free time, Pearl enjoys studying, reading, gardening, nature and spending time with his loved ones. A published author and musician, Pearl is passionate about using art to empower positive change in humanity.

Tee LeShoure has extensive experience in the field of community violence intervention and supervision of homicide and other violent crimes programs. LeShoure currently serves as the Director of Community Violence Intervention at Family Resources, offering support services to survivors and at-risk youth throughout the Quad Cities region. 

Prior to this, LeShoure served as the Homocide and Other Violent Crimes Supervisor at Family Resources and worked at Rock Island-Milan School District #41 in Special Education. 

LeShoure holds bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice and law enforcement administration and is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership and administration at Western Illinois University. 

LeShoure is also the founder of Tee It Up Movements, an organization founded with the mission of empowering individuals, communities, and businesses to view life and other experiences through an inspired lens. LeShoure values her community and works hard to ensure that programming and services are meeting residents' needs. It is not only her job, but also her passion.

Julie Larson serves as the YWCA Quad Cities president and chief executive officer. She has embodied the mission of the YWCA for more than 25 years, working to improve the lives of women, girls and communities of color through advocacy, local programming and services. She has been instrumental in growing and expanding the organization through strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting and grant writing. During her tenure, she has grown the organization’s annual operating budget from $300K to $2.7 million by expanding child care services and creating new mission-driven programming. 

In 2019, Larson led a capital campaign initiative and raised $19.75M for a new 64,250 sq. ft. YWCA facility in downtown Rock Island. She received her bachelor's degree in management from Purdue University Krannert School of Management and holds a MBA from St. Ambrose University. 

She has served on various boards in the Quad Cities, including the YWCA Quad Cities, Project NOW, Birth to Five Board and NormaLeah, and is the Royal Neighbors of America Chapter 20027 president and membership chair for the Early Childhood Coalition Board. 

Larson has been recognized and awarded the YWCA Hearts of Gold Award, YWCA Race Against Racism Honoree Award, Royal Neighbors of America Know Your Worth Award, the Iowa Women’s Foundation Ovation Tribute, and represented the YWCA Quad Cities to receive the Community Caring Conference Economic Development Award, and the NAACP Rock Island Community Service Award. 

Larson enjoys traveling, gardening and spending time with her husband Kevin and their six children.

Jen Osing '14 grew up in Batavia, Ill., and moved to the Quad Cities in 2010 to attend Augustana College. Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree in biochemistry and French, she moved to Houston, Texas, where she obtained her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology.

In 2016, Osing joined World Relief Quad Cities, a nonprofit serving refugees and immigrants, as a medical case manager and grew to directing the office's case management programs within two years. Currently, she serves as the executive director of World Relief Quad Cities. She led the office's expansion into Scott County, Iowa, in 2023, and more recently into southeast Iowa. In the past year, World Relief Quad Cities has welcomed 670 refugees to the area and served over 1,600 immigrants through their case management, employment, education and immigration legal service programs.

She is active in the community and serves as a member of the Rock Island Rotary and City of Rock Island Community Development Commission. In her spare time, Osing loves to travel, bake and spend time with her husband and their two children.

Monday, Jan. 20-Friday, Jan. 24, 2025
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Gerber Center for Student Life, You Belong Here Lounge (outside Gerber 420)

Discover the rich history of social justice posters and their powerful role in creating change, educating communities and inspiring movements throughout history. Learn how art and words have been used to amplify voices, share stories and demand action.

We invite the campus community to tap into the transformative power of creativity to design posters that reflect their values, promote empowerment and champion social justice. Whether you're an artist or a beginner, your voice matters, and this is your chance to contribute to a collective expression of advocacy and hope.

Materials will be provided, and all are welcome. Let's make art that inspires action!

Monday, Jan. 20-Friday, Jan. 24, 2025
Thomas Tredway Library

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy by visiting the MLK Book Display at the Thomas Tredway Library on the second floor. This display features a collection of books that highlight Dr. King’s work, teachings and the ongoing fight for social justice and equity.

While you're there, get creative at our bookmark-making station! Using the provided materials, you can design your own custom bookmarks inspired by Dr. King's words and legacy. These bookmarks are a perfect way to commemorate his message while encouraging reading and reflection on the values of service, justice, and action.

Tuesday, Jan. 21
5:30-7 p.m.
Longfellow Liberal Arts Elementary

We will host a night of community, learning and fun at Longfellow Liberal Arts Elementary. During this event, books generously donated by our campus community will be given away to Longfellow students and families. In addition, campus offices and student organizations will host engaging activities designed to bring joy and connection to the Longfellow community.

Wednesday, Jan. 22
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Gerber Center for Student Life, Gävle rooms

Join us for the "Speak for Change" open mic night, where art becomes a powerful tool for social change. Whether it's through singing, dance, poetry or any other form of self-expression, this is a space to share art that uplifts the ideals of unity, peace, and justice — values at the heart of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy.

We invite all forms of creative expression that inspire and encourage reflection on the ongoing journey for equality and inclusion. Our guest spoken word artist for the evening will be Aubrey Barnes, founder of Young Lions Roar, who will share his own powerful words.

If you're interested in performing, please sign up by Jan. 10. Whether you're a performer or an audience member, come to be inspired, uplifted, and moved to action.

→ Event page

About Aubrey Barnes

Aubrey Barnes, nationally known as "Mister Aubs.," is from Rock Island, Ill. His journey in the realm of poetry, writing and education has left an indelible mark on both local and international communities.

Cosigned by world-renowned poets of various different cultures, including Dr. Madhubuti of the historical Black Arts Movement era and Black Chakra (the most decorated slam poet in the United States), Mister Aubs. is not only known to be one of the best writers in this art form, but also as a powerful thought-provoking creative and captivating performer, educator.

Aubs. is the founder of Young Lions Roar, which provides creative arts workshops for students to develop writing, performative and social-emotional awareness skills while sharing their art through open mics and showcases.

Thursday, Jan. 23
1:30-3 p.m.
Olin auditorium

Join us for an engaging book talk featuring Augustana 1971  alumnus Dave Markward, a lifelong educator and advocate. With over five decades of experience in public education, Dave has been a trusted source of knowledge and inspiration.

In his latest memoir, "From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond: My Journey to Understand Racism in America," Markward shares his personal and professional journey, exploring the enduring complexities of racism and the pivotal moments that shaped his understanding. His memoir is a testament to his unwavering belief in humanity and the power of education to effect change.

This talk will delve into the history and symbolism of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama — both as a site of historic struggle and a metaphor for the bridges we continue to cross in the fight for racial equity. Through Markward's reflections, we'll examine how far we've come, how much work remains, and how education can empower us to build a more just and inclusive future.

Moderated by Augustana 1998 alumnus Brett Carter '98.

→ Event page

About Dave Markward

Dave Markward '71 has dedicated his professional life to public education, serving as a trusted source of knowledge for five decades. After graduating from Dubuque Senior High School (Iowa) and Augustana College (Illinois), Markward earned two advanced degrees from Western Illinois University and a doctorate from Illinois State University.

He started his career as a junior high school science teacher, then served as a coach, principal, school district superintendent (Rock Island, Ill., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa), college instructor and educational consultant. His first book, "Free the Teachers: A Guide to Joyful Teaching and Learning," is dedicated to productive education reform. 

In his latest work, "From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond: My Journey to Understand Racism in America," Markward delves into the complex world of racism. His memoir is a testament to his unwavering belief in humanity and the power of education to effect change.