As the University of Hartford community joins institutions across the nation in commemorating the life and enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we invite alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community members to join us for our 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Program.
This year’s theme, “Strength to Love, Courage to Act,” calls on us to live Dr. King’s message by centering love as a transformative force and courage as a necessary response to injustice.
Keynote speaker Jay Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, will challenge us to lead with courage and compassion in our own lives and communities, bringing Dr. King’s message into meaningful contemporary focus.
The observance will also include the presentation of the 2026 MLK Beloved Community Awards, which recognize members of our community whose leadership and service embody Dr. King’s vision of belonging, equity, and collective care.
The annual MLK observance provides our community with an opportunity to reaffirm our shared responsibility to help build a more just, inclusive, and compassionate world.
The observance will be held Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 12:45 p.m. in Lincoln Theater. The program is free and open to the public. To register, click below.