Civil Rights Immersion Series

Civil Rights Immersion Series

As part of the CommUNITY Education Program’s commitment to social justice education, we host an annual keynote speaker event and civil rights immersion trip. In past years, the program has arranged trips for students to visit civil rights landmarks and museums in Birmingham, Montgomery, Memphis, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Topeka, Little Rock, Selma, and Tuskeegee.

This year's MLK, Jr. Civil Rights Immersion Series will focus on how communities tell their stories: their histories, struggles, triumphs, and the ways they engage with their own stories. We will also explore how communities share their stories with others through art and media.

Upcoming programs

The CommUNITY Education Progam will host two programs during this series:

MLK, Jr. Civil Rights Luncheon and Keynote Speaker
Friday, Jan. 23, 2026
12–1:30 p.m.
Cook Center at Maxwell Hall, 750 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405

How we remember the past shapes how we act in the present. In this talk, historian Hasan Kwame Jeffries explores the power of storytelling in shaping our understanding of the civil rights movement and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He argues that the stories we tell—and those we avoid—determine whether we honor or distort Dr. King’s vision of justice. Moving beyond nostalgia and myth, he calls for an honest reckoning with history as the foundation for meaningful social change. By telling the truth about the movement, we reclaim the past not as a source of comfort, but as a guide for the ongoing struggle for a fair and just society.  

Prof. Hasan Kwame Jeffries is a College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Associate Professor in the Department of History. Known for his dynamic teaching, he has received several awards, including the university’s highest recognition for teaching—The Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching. 

A free catered lunch will be provided to attendees during this event. Please RSVP on beINvolved.

All Indiana University events, groups, activities, and educational, cultural and historical observances welcome all IU students and other members of the Indiana University community.

MLK, Jr. Civil Rights Immersion Trip: Civil Rights Through the Arts
Saturday, March 14, 2026–Wednesday, March 18, 2026

The CUE program's annual immersion is an experiential learning opportunity for students. This year, the trip will focus on communities in the Chicago area and how these communities share their stories with others through art and media. 

All Indiana University events, groups, activities, educational, cultural and historical observances welcome all IU students and other members of the Indiana University community. All students are welcome to apply.

The application window for this year's trip has closed. Please email cue@iu.edu with any questions.