Office of the Vice Chancellor for Access, Civil Rights & Community

Kwanzaa is an annual seven-day African-American and pan-African holiday celebration that takes place from December 26 to January 1. For seven days, a principle (Nguzo Saba) is reflected upon such as unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

A day of particular recognition of the role of Mary in the gospel events, celebrating her title as "Mother of God," which summarizes and affirms the conviction that Jesus is truly both God and born of a woman. Catholics celebrating Mary, Mother of God often attend Mass this day, and some employees may request scheduling accommodations in order to observe.

Commemoration of the Guru Gobind Singh, born in 1666, who was the tenth Sikh guru.

Fast of the First Born. Observed by fasting. Some students or employees may request scheduling accomodations in order to observe.

A celebration of the biblical event of the Magi visiting the Christ child and bearing gifts to him and his family. It is usually celebrated with a large feast.

Commemorates the visit of the Magi (or Wise Men) to the Holy Family, and bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. At the Epiphany service, chalk is often blessed and distributed for worshippers to take to their homes. The chalk is used to mark over the outside of the front door “20 + C + M + B + 20” (using the correct year).

Because the Eastern Orthodox use the Julian Calendar and the Western churches use the Gregorian Calendar, Eastern Orthodox Christmas falls on January 7 in the Gregorian (Western) calendar. Christians believe the conception and birth of Jesus is how the Son of God became a human.

This observance commemorates the Guru Angad Dev who was the second of the ten Gurus who founded Sikhism.

At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, Bahá'ís gather for an observance called the 19-Day Feast. The First of Kalimát (Words) begins at sunset of the first day and ends at sunset of the last day. It is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion. Some students or employees may request schedule adjustments in order to observe.

Maghi commemorates the fight of the Chali Ukte against the Imperial army in 1705. The holidays is often celebrated by ritual bathing and eating traditional food.

The partnership of the Advocacy for Justice and the County-wide MLK Committee will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s keynote speaker will be Rev. Joel King, nephew of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Community members are invited to attend the 38th Annual Unity Breakfast. Please join us as we honor Dr. King, the most important voice of the civil rights movement and recognize the 2023 Dr. King Scholarship recipients.

Those who give blood on this date and who are first-time donors to ImpactLife (local blood bank) will receive a $25.00 gift card to a local store or restaurant. Must be 16 years of age or older to donate.

University of Illinois Police Department will commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King’s Day of Service by creating a space where members of the community will have to opportunity to work together with a variety of Non-Profit organizations alongside some of our police officers.

This year, the MLK Day of Service will engage campus and community partners in recognizing the power of community action and civic engagement as local partners and students convene to honor the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. vision of impacting others through social change

The story of Rosa Parks’ radical politics and dedication to activism told through interviews, powerful archival footage, and her own words.

At the beginning of each Bahá'í month, from sunset the day before the day listed until sunset of the day listed, Bahá'ís celebrating the First of Sultán (Sovereignty) gather for the 19-Day Feast. There is a three-part observance with devotions, community consultation, and a social portion.

The College of Education will award the winners and honorable mention recipients of the K-12 MLK Creative Expressions Contest. This event will highlight the talents of our local students through essay, poems, and art.

Also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival. Celebrated with a festival for families, decorating buildings with lucky red items, partaking in cultural activities, eating certain "lucky" foods, setting off firecrackers, and praying.

Students and staff of the Global Leaders Program will host two speakers to address this timely issue from a professional and student perspective. Other planned activities will include smaller working group sessions where participants will dialogue about environmental justice challenges and how to personally and collectively take a greater stand in their communities.

The School of Social Work, in partnership with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, invites students, faculty, staff, and community members to engage in a poverty simulation that helps participants begin to understand what life is like with a shortage of money and an abundance of stress.