Several media opportunities available starting today, Thursday, Jan. 12
TAMPA, Fla. (Jan. 12, 2023) – The University of South Florida’s annual celebration of the life and values of Martin Luther King, Jr. will honor his vision with community service, a lecture, brunch and other events.
USF students will kick off MLK Commemorative Week by participating in community service projects at more than a dozen Tampa Bay area locations beginning today, Thursday, Jan. 12, and continuing throughout the month. The Stampede of Service initiative benefits area food pantries, community gardens and other organizations that embody King’s commitment to service. Among the projects, on Saturday, Jan. 14, dozens of USF students will be cleaning and beautifying neighborhoods at the University Area CDC from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interested media can contact Leslie Farrell to coordinate: (813) 493-1805.
At the USF St. Petersburg campus, more than a dozen middle and high school students from Pinellas County will be honored during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award Banquet. They were selected by a committee of Pinellas County school leaders for their commitment and dedication to community service, social justice and civil rights, as well as perseverance in overcoming challenges. The event takes place today, Thursday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m. in the USC Ballrooms. Interested media can contact Matt Cimitile to coordinate: (813) 368-9560.
On Monday, Jan. 16, dozens of USF students, faculty and staff members are expected to participate in the city of St. Peterburg’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade.
At the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has partnered with the Judy Genshaft Honors College to provide 150 personal hygiene kits to help the homeless through Turning Points in Bradenton and The Salvation Army in Sarasota.
In addition, on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m., the University Lecture Series will host Angela Harrelson and Paris Stevens – aunt and cousin of George Floyd – who will discuss the importance of social justice and continued activism. USF’s annual MLK Commemorative Brunch will take place on Friday, Jan. 20, at 10:30 a.m. Tangela Serls, special advisor to the College of Arts and Sciences dean on diversity, equity and inclusion, will serve as keynote speaker and will share the lesser-known stories of the civil rights movement. Both of these events will take place in the Marshall Student Center Ballroom on the Tampa campus and are free and open to the public.
A full list of activities can be found on the MLK Commemorative Week webpage.
To view the full feature story on the USF Newsroom website, click here.
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About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success, generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF has earned widespread national recognition for its success graduating under-represented minority and limited-income students at rates equal to or higher than white and higher income students. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.