Former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, Ph.D., to speak at 33rd annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Convocation
Loyola University Maryland will welcome Carla Hayden, Ph.D., former Librarian of Congress, for the 33rd annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Convocation on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in McGuire Hall. The event, which is part of the Bunting Peace and Justice Speaker Series, is free and open to the public and will also be livestreamed. Advance registration is encouraged for in-person and virtual attendance.
Titled “Protecting Public Knowledge Spaces,” the talk will be moderated by Karsonya Wise Whitehead, Ph.D., founding executive director of the Karson Institute for Race, Peace & Social Justice and professor of communication and African and African American Studies.
“Dr. King believed that ‘intelligence plus character’ was the true goal of education,” said Rodney L. Parker, Ph.D., chief equity and inclusion officer. “As a trailblazer and lifelong advocate for education and public knowledge, Dr. Hayden embodies that very combination of intelligence and character that Dr. King spoke of—ideals which are also foundational to Jesuit education. We are honored to have Dr. Hayden join us for the 33rd Martin Luther King, Jr., Convocation as we celebrate and reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. King.”
Hayden made history in 2016 when she was sworn in as the 14th Librarian of Congress—the first woman and first African American to lead the nation’s library. She reimagined the Library of Congress as a dynamic, inclusive institution that connects all Americans to knowledge, creativity, and history. Her leadership has focused on access, equity, and storytelling. Hayden’s tenure at the Library of Congress ended abruptly in June 2025. Today, Hayden—who is a recipient of Loyola’s prestigious Andrew White Medal—is a senior fellow for the Mellon Foundation and continues to pursue scholarship, writing, and research.
“Dr. Hayden has made it her life’s work to promote literacy, endeavor to advance equity in education, and defend public institutions of learning—work that is integral to the pursuit of peace and justice in the U.S. and around the world,” said Heidi Shaker, Ph.D., director of the Office of Peace and Justice and associate professor of French. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Hayden to campus for an evening of thoughtful discussion and inquiry into the challenges facing public knowledge spaces.”
Prior to being sworn in as Librarian of Congress, Hayden led the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore as CEO for more than two decades. In that role, she built the Pratt Library into a national model for community-based services, technology access, and educational equity. Under her leadership, Pratt branches also became known as safe spaces, including during the Baltimore uprising in 2015 when Hayden kept the Pennsylvania Avenue location open for the community. Hayden has also served as president of the American Library Association.
About the Martin Luther King, Jr., Convocation
The Martin Luther King, Jr., Convocation, celebrating its 33rd year, is an occasion for Loyola and the Baltimore communities to launch the spring semester and the new year by coming together for shared inquiry into the issues of social justice, politics, spirituality, and the legacies of race and racial justice in America. The signature event is co-sponsored by the Office of the President, the Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Office of Peace & Justice, the Karson Institute for Race, Peace & Social Justice, Messina, and African and African American Studies. Past speakers have included Michelle Alexander, Ibram X. Kendi, Octavia Butler, Spike Lee, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Roxane Gay, Freeman Hrabowski III, and Nikole Hannah-Jones.
About the Bunting Peace and Justice Speaker Series
The Bunting Peace and Justice Speaker Series, made possible with a generous gift from Mary Catherine Bunting, hosts speakers and events that contribute to raising awareness about peace and justice issues. The series is sponsored by Loyola’s Office of Peace and Justice.