CU Boulder Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation 2026

This year’s theme –“Imagining Tomorrow: Afro-Futurist Visions of Community, Creativity and Collective Care”– emerges from Dr. King’s expansive vision of justice and community interconnectedness. Embracing Afro-Futurist frameworks, critical theories, and ancestral rhythms, the convocation will explore creative expressions of justice, community wellness and intergenerational care. Participants will engage in imaginative practices rooted in historical awareness and contemporary relevance, envisioning just futures for diverse communities at CU Boulder and beyond.

In a moderated discussion setting, the keynote will examine Dr. King’s lesser-explored writings on economic justice, global solidarity and radical imagination, and will connect these concepts to contemporary Afro-Futurist visions of equitable, sustainable communities.

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi is the Director of the Howard University Institute for Advanced Study. He is an acclaimed historian whose powerful insights are reshaping our understanding of racism and anti-racism. Through a compelling blend of scholarship and storytelling, Dr. Kendi invites readers and audiences to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the history of oppressive systems and how they have shaped societies for generations.

Dr. Kendi is the author of many highly acclaimed books including Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction, making him the youngest ever winner of that award. Stamped from the Beginning is a monumental work that traces the development and dissemination of racist ideologies throughout American history. The book offers a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between racist ideas, power dynamics, and resistance movements. The book was made into a Netflix documentary that was shortlisted for an Academy Award and an Emmy Award.

Kendi's full bio is available on the Convocation Webpage.

Sponsors

This program is sponsored by the Center for African and African American Studies (CAAAS), the Center for Cultural Connections and Community (The Center) and the Office of Leadership Support and Programming.

Security and Bag Policy

There is a clear bag policy for the event. All guests will have to pass through security screening and metal detectors to enter the venue.

Parking

Information on parking will be provided closer to the event date.