About the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholars Program
NYU's Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars Program is a selective all-university honors and leadership program dedicated to furthering Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy and global vision of the "Beloved Community." MLK scholars seek to be bridge builders and inclusive leaders, committed to building community through scholarship, research, service, and global experiences. Centered on the tenets of Dr. King's philosophy of nonviolence, the program seeks to cultivate critical inquiry, cross-cultural competencies, and civic responsibility through dialogue seminars and impactful experiential programs and opportunities that empower scholars to work toward fulfilling Dr. King's dream.
Why are donations necessary?
Students thrive in this program. For Gianna Jirak, a rising junior majoring in Global Public Health and Sociology, being an NYU MLK Scholar has been a source of support for her, especially academically. “The program connects me with funding sources, from study abroad scholarships to grants to take on research projects and unpaid internships,” she says. Gianna’s interests center on sexual and reproductive health and education. “I hope my career allows me to empower people to make informed decisions about their bodies and have greater access to health resources,” she explains. The MLK Scholars spring break trip to Ghana was another standout opportunity for Gianna. “It was an experience I never thought I would have,” she recalls. “It was so incredibly meaningful to me. As a biracial (Black/white) person, I have always wanted to go to Africa to connect with my ancestors. I am so grateful I had that opportunity. It’s something I will always cherish.”