Parking and Transportation

Free campus parking is available for luncheon guests; however, advance parking registration is required to confirm complimentary access.

Parking Location

Parking for guests will be provided in the G10 Parking Garage. To ensure a smooth arrival, guests are strongly encouraged to complete parking registration prior to arriving on campus.

Parking Registration Instructions

Please share the following steps with all table guests:

1. Open the ParkMobile link:
   https://www.offstreet.io/events/GW0S9M0O

2. Select “General Public” from the listed parking options and choose Next.

3. Enter the vehicle license plate number and select the appropriate state or province.

4. Enter an email address to receive parking reminders and a receipt. No payment information is required.

5. Select “Park” to complete the reservation.

For more information please contact Luncheon@MLKKnoxville.com.

Additional Parking Information

A total of 300 complimentary parking spaces have been allocated for the Thomas “Tank” Strickland Leadership Awards Luncheon and Educational Symposium. Once these spaces are filled, additional hourly parking will be available across campus, including within the G10 Garage. Hourly parking requires payment, as outlined in the campus parking system.

For additional instructions and details regarding the Off Street parking process and other hourly parking locations, please visit:
https://parking.utk.edu/parking/visitors/

Shuttle and Accessibility Support

Complimentary shuttle transportation will be provided from the G10 Parking Garage to the Student Union. Parking attendants will be on site, and golf cart transportation will be available for guests requiring additional assistance.

Leadership Educational Symposium

All luncheon ticket holders are encouraged to attend the Leadership Educational Symposium, which is included with luncheon registration.

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: UTK Student Union, Room 362, 3rd Floor

Parking is also available for guests attending the symposium.

We look forward to welcoming you for a meaningful day of leadership, learning, and recognition. Please feel free to reach out with any additional questions or needs.

For more information please contact Luncheon@MLKKnoxville.com.

Luncheon Meal and Seating Information

To ensure an enjoyable and well-organized luncheon experience for all guests, we kindly ask that any dietary restrictions or meal accommodations be shared in advance.

Additionally, organizations or businesses that have purchased a table and need to confirm or update the names of guests seated at their table should also provide this information by the deadline below.

Please email all dietary requests and seating updates to:
Luncheon@MLKKnoxville.com

Deadline: End of day, Monday, January 12

Requests received after this deadline may be difficult to accommodate.

Thank you for helping us prepare for a seamless and welcoming luncheon experience.

This year’s luncheon will feature keynote speaker Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, an award-winning scholar, activist, and media personality renowned for his bold voice on justice, equity, and social transformation. Dr. Hill’s message will challenge and inspire us, calling each of us to take action toward the beloved community Dr. King envisioned.

Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is an award-winning scholar, author, activist, and media personality whose work centers on justice, equity, and the power of storytelling to drive social change. He currently serves as Professor of Urban Education at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York City, where he is recognized for his groundbreaking scholarship and ability to translate complex social issues into impactful, actionable conversations.

A sought-after voice in national and global media, Dr. Hill has hosted programs such as UpFront on Al Jazeera English and HuffPost Live, and served as a political commentator for CNN and Fox News. He is also a co-host of The Joe Budden Podcast, where his commentary continues to shape conversations on politics, culture, and justice.

Beyond his media presence, Dr. Hill is deeply committed to civic engagement and youth empowerment. He has founded and supported numerous community-based initiatives focused on literacy, legal education, and social transformation, and is widely known for integrating hip-hop culture into educational spaces as a tool for liberation and critical thought.

Named one of Ebony magazine’s “Top 30 Black Leaders Under 30,” Dr. Hill continues to be a leading voice at the intersection of leadership, activism, and social change. We are honored to welcome him as the Keynote Speaker for the 2026 MLK Awards Luncheon.