Event series will honor Martin Luther King Jr.

AMES, Iowa – Through the end of this month, Iowa State University and the Ames community will observe the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday (Monday, Jan. 16) to honor the life of the Nobel Peace Prize winner and civil rights activist. All events listed below are free and open to the public.

"Let Freedom Ring" carillon concert

11:50 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, central campus

Carilloneur Tin-Shi Tam will play a musical tribute to King.

Community birthday celebration (Originally scheduled for Jan. 16; moved to Jan. 23 due to weather)

6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, Ames Middle School (3915 Mortensen Road)

Festivities at the traditional Ames community celebration include a birthday cake, song and story. A program starting at 6:30 p.m. will commemorate King's life and service.

Martin Luther King Jr. legacy convocation

3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, Memorial Union Sun Room

Celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and learn how his global vision of equality for everyone remains relevant today. The Advancing One Community Awards will also be presented.

A Deeper Black: Race in America – Ta-Nehisi Coates

7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, Memorial Union Great Hall

MacArthur genius grant fellow and National Book Award Winner Ta-Nehisi Coates will discuss systemic racism in a country supposedly becoming post-racial. Coates is the author of "Between the World and Me" and a national correspondent for The Atlantic.