As has become a tradition here in West Philadelphia, Penn students, faculty and staff spent Martin Luther King Day working to make their neighborhood a better place: Penn volunteers helped spruce up West Philadelphia High School, participated in a literacy project at Houston Hall and created much-needed gifts for residents of area shelters, hospitals and nursing homes.

But Penn’s celebration of Dr. King’s life continues through next week, with a series of programs and discussions built around the ideas King espoused: Equal rights, service and civility.

Jan. 19: Penn welcomes musician and activist Harry Belafonte and Penn Professor of History Mary Frances Berry, who together will deliver the Martin Luther King, Jr. Lecture in Social Justice. Their conversation will be moderated by Penn social scientist Tukufu Zuberi, host of the PBS series “History Detectives.” The event is set for 5:30 p.m. at Irvine Auditorium. Tickets are free. For information, call 215-898-3900.

Jan. 22: The Philadelphia Student Union will host a panel and workshop about the links between public education and political economy. The discussion will focus on how public education is impacted by the economic structure of society, and will be placed within the context of Dr. King’s life and work. For more information, contact Nijmie Dzurinko at 215-546-3290

Jan. 24: The Race in the Academy Series continues with a presentation by David Roediger, the Kendrick C. Babcock Professor of History at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Roediger studies the history of race and class in the United States and the history of American radicalism. The noon lecture is sponsored by the Graduate School of Education and will be held at the Terrace Room of Logan Hall. For information, contact Lois MacNamara 898-7019.

Jan. 26: Penn’s celebration of Dr. King concludes with Jazz For King, the annual jazz and poetry event sponsored by the African-American Resource Center, Penn Women’s Center and W.E.B. DuBois College House. Performers include Dr. Guy’s MusiQology, Traci Poe, AKA Lady Poet and Pat McLean. Jazz for King runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at the W.E.B. DuBois College House. For information, call Afi Heywood at 215-898-0104.

For more information about Penn’s Martin Luther King celebration, visit www.upenn.edu/aarc/mlk/dos.htm.

Originally published on January 18, 2006.