WFU and WSSU holding annual event honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

A joint celebration between Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem State University honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be held on WSSU’s campus at 7 p.m. on Jan. 17.

Although it is an in-person event, seating is restricted to WFU and WSSU faculty, staff and students and members of the media. Others who wish to view the event may watch via livestream at https://livestream.com/wssummts/mlkcelebration.

Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, seating is limited to 800 people – 400 from each institution – inside the K.R. Williams Auditorium on WSSU’s campus. Tickets, masks and proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the event are required for all attendees.

Tickets are available for WFU faculty, staff and students in the Intercultural Center in Benson University Center, room 346, until 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 14. Tickets are available for WSSU faculty, staff and students in the Thompson Center, suite 305. Tickets will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

The theme for this year’s Building the Dream award ceremony is “On Common Ground: Embracing Our Voices.” David Banner, an American record producer, activist, musician and actor will be the keynote speaker.

After Banner’s speech, Building the Dream award winners will be announced. Traditionally, the awards are presented to a professor or administrator and a student from Wake Forest and Winston-Salem State who exemplify King’s qualities and promote diversity within the community.

The MLK event marks the longest-running partnership between the two universities.