The Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars Center kicked off its launching with a luncheon in the University Union Ballroom.

Marcellene Watson-Derbigny, associate vice president for Student Retention and Academic Success, mentioned there will be more than 20 services over the course of Black History Month including panels, keynote speakers and screenings.

“The idea is to build community, to build campus unity and to celebrate the African-American culture,” Watson-Derbigny said.

Watson said there is a lot of momentum to promote diversity and inclusion on campus. She was eager to see the feedback for the luncheon kickoff.

“I see it as a catalyst for change on the campus, to ensure that students are successful, that they’re getting their degrees, and that there’s really an oasis or a place that they can go on campus for support through the MLK Center,” she said.

The center is located in Lassen Hall 2200.