Rhodes Scholar and environmental justice activist Wanjiku “Wawa” Gatheru helped kick off Colgate’s 17th annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Week on Jan. 23 with a keynote address in the Colgate Memorial Chapel.
Gatheru, the founder of Black Girl Environmentalist (BGE), talked about the ways climate crises can disproportionately impact marginalized communities and urged the audience to recognize that equity and sustainability are “deeply connected.” Gatheru also discussed BGE’s efforts to bring more diversity to climate activism.
“Climate communication needs a facelift,” she said. “The real question is: are we communicating in ways that show people the urgency of the matter, especially informing about issues close to their lives?”
The MLK Week Celebration continued with events designed to engage the Colgate community in meaningful dialogue and action, including an interfaith dinner and a Sense of Belonging Listening Session, a special Jummah service focused on King’s legacy, and mindfulness sessions to honor his teachings on peace and justice.
During a Day of Service on Jan. 27, volunteers worked on local service projects to honor King’s vision of community action.
To conclude the week, the ALANA Cultural Center hosted the fourth annual Social Justice Summit, facilitated by student leaders from the New York Six Liberal Arts Consortium.
“The 2025 MLK Celebration is all about action and impact,” said Esther Rosbrook, director of the ALANA Cultural Center. “With sustainability at the heart of our 10-day series, together we are shaping equitable communities and fostering sustainable environments — not just for today but for our future.”