Local Community Engagement
Maintaining a strong relationship with our local DC community is an important priority for the University. This relationship has notably grown thanks to several key initiatives.
Let Freedom Ring
In 2003, President DeGioia expanded Georgetown’s Martin Luther King Day commemorations by founding the Let Freedom Ring Initiative. The goal of the initiative was to engage both the university community, along with our local DC neighbors, in meaningful dialogue around the work of Dr. King and the subsequent work that his mission inspired.
The first John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream award was given in 2003. This award is given annually to an individual or group who exemplifies the mission of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Georgetown also partnered with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2003 to host the Let Freedom Ring Celebration, a free musical tribute celebrating the legacy of Dr. King. This annual concert, led by Music Producer and Composer Nolan Williams, Jr., has featured music legends such as Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Leslie Odom Jr.
Each year, the university also celebrates with a number of additional community events, including book discussions, film screenings, and panel discussions. The Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching & Service (CSJ) hosts an annual “Teach the Speech” teach-in, encouraging faculty, students, and staff to engage in a deep-dive of one of Dr. King’s memorable speeches. The Program on Justice and Peace (JUPS) at Georgetown College regularly hosts a two-segment Unarmed Civilian Protection and Accompaniment training.