King In Conversation: The Spiritualities of Non-Violence - An Interfaith Dinner & Discussion
Thursday, January 22, 2026
6:00
p.m.
- 8:30
p.m.
Health Campus
Alumni,
Community,
Faculty,
Staff,
Students
This interfaith table-talk-style event is a part of GVSU's Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Week.
Together, we will explore the spiritual frameworks for nonviolent resistance that influenced or were influenced by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Throughout the event, we will see the threads shared among figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, and Venerable Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
We call this a "Table Talk" style event, as it favors interpersonal connection and storytelling alongside the wisdom provided by our panelists. The evening will toggle between a moderated panel discussion, Q&A, and small-group table discussions over a shared meal here at our downtown Grand Rapids Health Campus.
Dinner will be provided. This event is free, but registration is required.
---
Panel Moderator
Joe Jones, Founder, Hekima Group
Panelists
Carolyn White, Founding Facilitator, Lansing Area Mindfulness Community
Elliot Ratzman, Raoul Wallenberg Institute, University of Michigan
Gail Presbey, Professor and Chair of the Philosophy Department, University of Detroit Mercy
---
---
Location Information
Cook Devos Center for Health Sciences, 301 Michigan St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Contact Information
Kaufman Interfaith Institute
Tags
academic community inclusion interfaith kaufman mlk
Share this event
Download iCalendar (.ics)
Add to Google Calendar
This event was added on Sunday, January 4, 2026 and was last updated on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 5:50 p.m.