Campus and Community Engagement seeks to build and strengthen partnerships with diverse businesses, industry, educational institutions, civic and community organizations with a focus on historically underserved and underrepresented populations. Our approach is embedded within the democratic-centered framework that shifts the traditional discourse on relationships from “partnerships” and “mutuality” to that of “reciprocity” which supports the sharing of knowledge and resources between academics and non-academics in ways that enhance and empower a broader commitment and dialogue toward authentic problem solving in an outside of UAB. Thus, our goal is to develop living learning communities composed of students, faculty, staff, and members of the community to serve as “think tanks” on:
- identifying and forging pathways to increased education access and success;
- facilitating climate and intergroup relations based discussions towards truth, healing, and reconciliation;
- highlighting research and scholarship to better inform decision making for the common good; and
- ensuring that voices are represented and the actions taken reflect the values of both UAB and the communities we serve.
Birmingham King Week
Birmingham King Week is an annual initiative and collaboration between the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, UAB Student Affairs, City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office, Hands on Birmingham, local colleges and universities, and surrounding agencies to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr through a weeklong series of events and service initiatives at UAB and throughout the City of Birmingham. Some of the highlights for the week include the Day of Service, MLK Breakfast, and Word from the Mountain Top oratory competition.
Word from the Mountain Top Oratory Contest
Each year, local high school and college students are invited to participate in the “Word from the Mountaintop” Oratory Contest, to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The purpose of the oratory competition is to recognize and give high school and college students the opportunity to reflect on Dr. King’s words while connecting his message to issues facing the nation in the 21st century. Participants are charged with composing a speech to answer a pre-determined question derived from King’s teachings and past speeches.