Topics: Alumni, Arts and Culture, Community Engagement, Faculty, Muncie, Student Activities, Student Affairs

January 15, 2026

In observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Ball State University's Vivian V. Conley and Hurley C. Goodall Jr. Multicultural Center will host Unity Week 2026, beginning Monday, Jan. 19. The weeklong series of programs is designed to celebrate culture and encourage civic engagement across campus and the Muncie community.

"Unity Week provides space for reflection, dialogue, and action," said Gabrielle Lloyd, director of the Multicultural Center. "Through educational workshops, cultural celebrations, service opportunities, and storytelling, we invite our campus and community to come together in ways that honor difference while strengthening our shared humanity."

The week begins Monday with the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, hosted by Ball State University and community partners, followed by an MLK Day of Service opportunity organized by Student Voluntary Services in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank.

The featured keynote speaker for Unity Week 2026 is Steven Williams III, a 2016 Ball State graduate, published children's book author, community builder, and advocate for education and economic opportunity.

Mr. Williams currently works at Microsoft, where he drives executive strategy for the Office Product Group, supporting the teams behind Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. His career spans public service, including roles with the City of Chicago and the U.S. House of Representatives. He will speak Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in Pruis Hall.

The full schedule of Unity Week 2026 events is as follows:

Monday, Jan. 19

• Dr. MLK Jr. Breakfast, Student Center Cardinal Hall, 9 a.m.
• MLK Day of Service, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Student Voluntary Services partners with Second Harvest Food Bank for a service opportunity focused on food packaging and community engagement. Transportation will be provided.

Tuesday, Jan. 20

• Cuts and Conversations, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room: free haircuts and styling provided in partnership with ClipDart, promoting culturally competent hair care and mental wellness.
• Spring Activity Fair, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Student Center Cardinal Hall and Ballroom
• Slay Your Semester, 4-6 p.m., Multicultural Center Conference Room (hosted by Student Success Initiatives)
• SIS Fashion Show, 5 p.m., Student Center, Room 301
• MLK Keynote Speaker: Steven Williams III, 7 p.m., Pruis Hall

Wednesday, Jan. 21

• Resilient, Not Invincible: Sharing Stories of Stress and Support, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Atrium (hosted by Cardinal Central)
• Disability History Jeopardy, 2 p.m. Student Center Forum Room (hosted by Disability Services)
• Grow Your Goals, 4-6 p.m., Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room (hosted by Student Success Initiatives)
• Spectrum Queer Open Mic, 7-10 p.m., Pruis Hall

Thursday, Jan. 22

• CliftonStrengths Workshop, 1-2:30 p.m., Student Center Room 310
• Visualize Your Success, 4-6 p.m., Multicultural Center Conference Room (hosted by Student Success Initiatives)
• Asian Student Union Sushi Night, 5-7 p.m., Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room

Friday, Jan. 23

• Community Panel, 5-6 p.m., Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room
• Friday Night Filmworks, 7 p.m., Pruis Hall
• Reel Stories Screening: We Strangers, 8-10 p.m., Teachers College, Room 120 We Strangers (2024) explores race, class, and invisible labor through dark humor and social commentary. A facilitated discussion will follow the screening.

Saturday Jan. 24

• Latinxpalooza, 6 p.m., Pruis Hall

Sunday, Jan. 25

• Black Student Association (BSA) Unity Pageant, 7 p.m., Pruis Hall: Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Unity Pageant is BSA's premier co-ed pageant and a scholarship opportunity with a legacy dating back to 1969.

Our opportunities are open to any currently enrolled Ball State University student without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, genetic information, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, protected veteran status, or other legally protected category.

Unity Week 2026 is co-sponsored by Ball State University's Asian Student Union, Black Student Association, Spectrum, Office of Disability Services, Housing and Residence Life, Latinx Student Union, Office of the President, Office of Student Life, Student Voluntary Services, Cardinal Central, University College, and University Libraries.