Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and work promoting social justice will be honored and advanced in a series of events that will unite UMass Lowell students, faculty and staff, and the public to help kick off Black History Month. Events presented by UMass Lowell’s Office of Multicultural Affairs include a student speech contest on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. at Alumni Hall, UML North, 84 University Ave., Lowell, and an MLK Day of Service for students on Sunday, Feb. 5 at noon at the Campus Recreation Center, UML East, 100 Pawtucket St., Lowell.

Other events are:
· Solidarity march: The public and members of the university community will walk from UMass Lowell’s East Campus to South Campus. The event is co-sponsored by student groups the Association of Students of African Origin (ASAO); Males Achieving Leadership, Excellence and Success (MALES); Sisters of Integrity Striving Towards Empowerment, Respect and Success (SISTERS); and the Latin American Student Association. Monday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m. The march will begin at the Campus Recreation Center parking lot, UML East, 100 Pawtucket St., Lowell and end with a discussion at the O’Leary Library Learning Commons, Room 222, UML South, 61 Wilder St., Lowell

· “Real Talk, Real Time Conversations:” This forum, co-sponsored by the ASAO, will explore class, race, gender and sexual orientation issues and reflect on King’s fight toward equality and how people can work together to make a difference. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m., Alumni Hall, UML North, 84 University Ave., Lowell.

· MLK Celebration Dinner: This event, the centerpiece of the week, will include a keynote address by author, educator and social activist Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, student performances including In Your Company and the UMass Lowell Gospel Choir, and an awards presentation. Public registration for the program is closed but media may cover the event. Wednesday, Feb. 1, 6 p.m., Cumnock Hall, UML North, 31 University Ave., Lowell.