The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Keynote Lecture serves as the hallmark of the MLK Series. The lecture aims to highlight the role of creative endeavor in advancing democracy and equity. Through this annual lecture, RISD acknowledges an individual whose legacy of service and commitment to justice has made an indelible difference. The keynote lecturer is selected, in part, because of their consistent demonstration and skillful employment of Kingian values as a model of change.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Series Posters

Keynote Addresses and Lectures

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2024
Wednesday, January 17th
12:00 AM

2024 MLK Celebration: An Evening of Art & Justice

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Gabrielle Bullock
Walter Cruz
Salamishah Tillet
Prism of Praise Community Gospel Choir

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02905

12:00 AM - 12:00 AM

2023
Wednesday, January 18th
6:00 PM

2023 MLK Keynote Address: Thelma Golden

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Thelma Golden, The Studio Museum in Harlem

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02904

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

2022
Tuesday, January 18th
7:00 PM

2022 MLK Keynote Address: Eddie Glaude Jr.

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Eddie Glaude Jr.
David Proulx, Rhode Island School of Design
Matthew Shenoda, Rhode Island School of Design

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

2022 MLK Keynote Address: Eddie Glaude Jr. Pre-Event Presentation

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Eddie Glaude Jr.

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

2022 MLK Keynote Address: Eddie Glaude Jr. Presentation

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Eddie Glaude Jr.

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

2020
Wednesday, January 22nd
5:30 PM

2020 MLK Keynote Address: Michelle Alexander Presentation

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Michelle Alexander
Rosanne Somerson, Rhode Island School of Design
Matthew Shenoda, Rhode Island School of Design

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

2019
Wednesday, January 23rd
7:00 PM

2019 MLK Keynote Address: Cornel West

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Cornel West

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

2018
Friday, March 2nd
7:00 PM

2018 MLK Keynote Address: Roxane Gay

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Roxane Gay
Anthony Johnson, Rhode Island School of Design
Rosanne Somerson, Rhode Island School of Design

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

2017
Friday, January 20th
7:00 PM

2017 MLK Keynote Address: Emory Douglas

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Emory Douglas
Barbara Baker, Rhode Island School of Design
Emma Werowinski, Rhode Island School of Design
Rosanne Somerson, Rhode Island School of Design
Nancy Skolos, Rhode Island School of Design

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

2017 MLK Keynote Emory Douglas Educational Foldout

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Emory Douglas

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

2017 MLK Keynote Emory Douglas Educational Foldout

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Emory Douglas

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

2017 MLK Keynote Emory Douglas Program

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Emory Douglas

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

2017 MLK Keynote Emory Douglas Program

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Emory Douglas

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

2016
Wednesday, April 13th
7:00 PM

2015|16 MLK Lecture: Faith Ringgold: More than 60 Years

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Faith Ringgold
Pradeep Sharma, Rhode Island School of Design

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Friday, January 22nd
7:00 PM

2015|16 MLK Keynote Address: Andrew Young

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Andrew Young
Dan Cavicchi, Rhode Island School of Design
Rosanne Somerson, Rhode Island School of Design

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

2015
Monday, October 19th
7:00 PM

2015 MLK Lecture: Tim Wise

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Tim Wise
Jean Eddy, Rhode Island School of Design
Lucille Crelli, Rhode Island School of Design

Tap Room 226 Benefit Street, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Friday, January 30th
7:00 PM

2015 MLK Keynote Address: Danny Glover

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Danny Glover
Anne Fessler, Rhode Island School of Design
Rosanne Somerson, Rhode Island School of Design

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

2014
Wednesday, January 29th
7:00 PM

2014 MLK Keynote Address: Marian Wright Edelman

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Marian Wright Edelman
Paul Sproll, Rhode Island School of Design
Rosanne Somerson, Rhode Island School of Design
Michael Spalter, Rhode Island School of Design

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

2013
Tuesday, January 29th
7:00 PM

2013 MLK Keynote Address: Harry Belafonte

Center for Social Equity & Inclusion, Rhode Island School of Design
Harry Belafonte
John Maeda, Rhode Island School of Design
David Cicilline
Dan Cavicchi, Rhode Island School of Design

RISD Auditorium, Canal Walk, Providence, RI 02903

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM