Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Program

The morning of Wednesday, January 22, JK–12 students gathered for the All School Peace Chapel, an opportunity to set the tone for the program through song, speeches, and quiet reflection on the ways in which Dr. King’s birthday serves as a call to service and a reminder that each of us has a role to play in creating a more just society. The activities that followed were designed to augment classroom instruction in social studies and history, helping students engage critically and in age-appropriate ways with the historical material and its continued relevance today. 

Students in the Early Childhood and Lower School examined what it means to be an “upstander” and thought about ways to promote a sense of belonging among their friends, in their classroom, and at home. 

Many teachers used literature as an entry point to these discussions. First graders, for instance, read biographies from the Ordinary People Change the World series by Brad Meltzer, including “I am MLK,” “I am Rosa Parks,” “I am Gandhi,” and “I am Jackie Robinson” as well as “The Story of Ruby Bridges” by Robert Cole and the autobiography of Ruby Bridges. 

The visual arts also sparked conversations. Third graders in Hilary Harnischfeger’s art class studied the work of artist Pacita Abad and recreated her multimedia piece, “L.A. Liberty.” The students began by painting batik fabric to create her robe, following which they collaged pieces of fabric to create a frame around the figure, added sequins to make her tablet, and layered yarn to form her torch. “It was wonderful to witness the collaborative process as students created a single artwork that celebrated an artist whose themes include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” says Hilary. 

There were also opportunities for cross-division collaboration. Students from the Class of 2025 joined junior kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade classrooms to read “We Dream a World.” Written by Yolanda Renee King, granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, the book—which explores racial equality, bullying, gun violence, climate change, and more—invites young people (Yolanda is just sixteen years old!) to recognize the power of their own actions in creating a more just world. After the read-aloud, twelfth graders stayed to discuss the book with the school’s youngest students. As they chatted about the words, images, and ideas that resonated with them the most, seniors helped our youngest students create signs, adorned with words like “courage” and “kindness,” that they would carry during the silent march through the hallways of the school later that day. 

On Friday morning, students in both divisions participated in the first annual Early Childhood and Lower School MLK Assembly, singing songs from the Civil Rights Movement and sharing their projects and learning with fellow students and faculty across grades. 

“Something that I will always remember is how she showed me that no dream is impossible for any person,” said one middle school student when asked to describe what stood out after hearing from middle school keynote speaker Ali Stroker. Stroker spoke about her journey to become the first actor in a wheelchair to appear on Broadway and win a Tony award. Teacher Elizabeth Abrams remarked, “She engaged everyone in the room from start to finish by telling her story with incredible honesty, passion, and humor. Ali’s choice of songs fit beautifully with her story of the unbelievable challenges she has faced as a wheelchair-using actor on Broadway. Her message of ‘turning your limitations into your opportunities’ was clear and inspiring to all.”

Finding inspiration to drive change was a theme that continued to present itself throughout the middle school’s program, in which students take on a more active role. As part of this growing agency, students completed service projects, including participating in a neighborhood cleanup and volunteering at God’s Love We Deliver. 

Middle school student-artists dove into a meaningful project inspired by Dr. King’s legacy, blending art with his core themes of justice, equality, and unity. Students started by exploring the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose bold, expressive style influenced their creation of colorful, collaborative cubes. Using collage techniques, groups of students designed boxes that represented important themes from Dr. King’s teachings. Once the squares were completed, they silkscreened text from Dr. King’s "I Have a Dream" speech, designed by the Digital Art Club. Art teacher Rose White shared, “The focus on working together was essential to the success of this project. Students worked together without hesitation, freely experimenting and learning from each other. It was inspiring to see how engaged they were in both the creative and reflective aspects of the work, making the project truly meaningful.”

The division's culminating event was an assembly at which students shared projects and performances. Coordinated by Chief Technology Officer Dr. Akbar Ali Herndon and emceed by eighth graders Chloe V., Soleil C., and Phebe P., assembly planning began in November when students were asked to reflect upon the legacy of Dr. King and the lasting impact of the Civil Rights Movement. During the assembly, students sang and spoke about the issues that matter most to them, from racial justice and education access to climate change and healthcare. 

The High School MLK Symposium is almost entirely student-driven, with high schoolers leading workshops for their peers, assisted by faculty advisors. Students began crafting their workshops in the fall, conducting research and attending facilitator training sessions. The workshops not only offered an opportunity for peer-to-peer learning but also helped students further develop their skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and collaboration. This year’s workshops spanned a variety of topics and drove conversations on racial justice, gender equity, LGBTQ+ rights, media representation, politics, healthcare, and sustainability, as well as the ways in which these issues manifest themselves in industries such as sports, fashion, and the performing arts. 

In one workshop, juniors Sebastian H., Caleb L., and Arshaan S. presented a comparative analysis of the U.S. healthcare system alongside national healthcare systems in other countries and then facilitated a discussion about the pros and cons of each system. 

Shay V-S. ’26 explored the ways in which African American Vernacular English and queer linguistics impact Gen Z. slang. 

In his workshop, Micah W. ’26 explored the growing trend of political polarization, focusing on how targeted advertising and echo chambers hinder meaningful discourse. 

Award-winning journalist and author (and Grace parent) John Avlon joined Wilson U. ’27 to engage students in a discussion on the foundational principles of democracy, underscoring the importance of historical education, the need to disentangle political ideologies from policy issues, and the power in identifying and pursuing common ground in a divided political landscape. 

Junior Gabrielle B. presented her findings on Pan-Africanism and its impact on Abrahamic religion.

Driven by their passion for journalism and politics, juniors Cassie B. and Fiona M. explored the challenges faced by women in politics, analyzing the way history can shape public opinion by comparing the historical roles of women in the U.S. and in Norway and the roles of women today in American and Norwegian politics. 

Across all the workshops, students took their roles as facilitators seriously, emphasizing their goal to create safe, judgment-free spaces where peers could freely ask questions, share opinions, and offer ideas.

The keynote speaker was renowned photographer Mel D. Cole, recipient of the Press Photographer of the Year award. Reflecting on the influence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream, he shared that without it, he might not be alive today. Cole recounted his journey, starting as a teacher in Philadelphia in 2001 before discovering photography at an Erykah Badu concert. Self-taught, he learned the business and art of photography through trial and error, always believing in his potential. He highlighted the significance of the Civil Rights Movement in opening opportunities for Black performers in prominent venues, many of whom—like Beyoncé, Drake, and A$AP Rocky—he himself has photographed. He reflected on his role in documenting the George Floyd protests in 2020, noting the challenges of capturing photos during that time and highlighting the important role of photojournalists in documenting history. 

On Friday, students participated in a day of service, partnering with local organizations. High schoolers made over 1,000 sandwiches with Grassroots Grocery and delivered them to community fridges across the city. They also joined with the Jewish Association for Serving the Aging to bring joy to elderly New Yorkers through crafts and music. 

The High School MLK Symposium was an inspiring example of student leadership and community engagement, fostering a space for thoughtful discussion and skill development. Through their workshops, service projects, and the powerful keynote by Mel D. Cole, students not only honored Dr. King’s legacy but also actively contributed to creating positive change in their communities, demonstrating the power of youth-driven initiatives in shaping conversations around social justice, equity, and activism, and ensuring that Dr. King's dream remains a living, evolving call to action.