Although Martin Luther King Jr. passed away almost 38 years ago, his teachings of racial equality and nonviolence live strong today.

Musical performances, speeches and awards will be delivered during the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration to be held at 4 p.m. Thursday in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

Leonard Perry, director for Multicultural Student Affairs, said King was a man whose teachings stood the test of time.

“In and of itself, we are talking about a man who gave his life toward the improvement of society for all,” he said.

Katherine Mellen Charron, assistant professor of history, will deliver her speech, “Standing Behind Dr. King,” which encompasses the individuals who worked with King and what it means for people to stand behind him today.

“I think there is a problem with the way we remember Dr. King,” she said. “And what I am going to try and talk about is another part of the movement that doesn’t get talked about that was absolutely critical to Dr. King and the Southern Leadership Conference’s success.”

King led the conference, a civil rights advocacy group, from 1957 until his death in 1968.

Charron said other important figures were critical toward spreading equality. She said she will talk about the work of some lesser-known people in the movement.

Carlie Tartakov, lecturer of curriculum and instruction, and the Ames YWCA will be the first recipients of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Advancing One Community Awards.

Tartakov said she was honored for the recognition of her work in social justice and solidarity.

“This is what I do; this is what I’m focused on primarily in life and I would say in all of my life, so I will continue doing the same [in the future],” she said. “It’s great to get an award, but that’s not why I do this work.”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

4 p.m. Thursday in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union

Speakers and musical groups will celebrate King’s legacy

Musical performances by:

Shy of a Dozen

Gospel Soul Innovators

Speakers include:

Government of the Student Body President Angela Groh

Black Student Alliance President Jonnell Marion

Assistant Professor Katherine Mellen Charron, who teaches African American history, will be talking about the women who worked with King in her presentation, “Standing Behind Dr. King.”

ISU President Gregory Geoffroy will present the first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Advancing One Community Awards to Carlie Tartakov, lecturer in curriculum and instruction, and the Ames YWCA

ISU Dining Services will provide free birthday cake during the event

Students are invited to join a facilitated discussion in the Col. Pride Lounge following the event