UF to honor legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Jan 16, 2013 0 Comments Administrative, Campus Events, Gainesville Community
GAINESVILLE, FLA. --- Author, activist, historian, and cultural critic Dr. Michael Eric Dyson will be the Keynote Speaker on January 29 as part of the 2013 MLK Celebration at the University of Florida. Dyson’s talk is sponsored in part by the University of Florida’s Black Graduate Student Organization and ACCENT Speakers Bureau.
The event titled, “An Evening with Michael Eric Dyson,” will take place at 7pm in the Grand Ballroom at the J. Wayne Reitz Union. Dyson who has been named by Ebony Magazine as one of the country’s 100 most influential African-Americans will discuss his thoughts and beliefs that embody the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A question and answer period will follow the talk.
Dyson’s speech is part of a 10-day series of events being held from Jan. 21- Jan. 31 to showcase the ideas and values of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Courage, Truth, Justice, Compassion, Dignity, Humility, and Service.
“We are excited to provide several programmatic opportunities during this celebration that empowers the University of Florida community to better understand the values and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to live those values to give back to the local and global community,” said Jarrod Cruz, chair of UF MLK Celebration Steering Committee and Director of Intercultural Engagement.
The celebration will kick-off on Jan. 21 with students and staff members volunteering in the local community and reflecting on their service and how it relates to the ideals and values of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Also at 1pm on Jan. 21, campus and community members can participate in the Annual MLK March from Bo Diddley Plaza to the MLK Multipurpose Center.
At 9pm on Jan. 22 in the Rion Ballroom at the Reitz Union there will be a performance of Ain’t I A Woman, a musical theatre program celebrating the life and times of four powerful African American women: renowned novelist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, ex-slave and fiery abolitionist Sojourner Truth, exuberant folk artist Clementine Hunter, and fervent civil rights worker Fannie Lou Hamer.
At 10am on Jan. 23, students can learn more about the different faith communities on the UF campus through the Religious Involvement Opportunities Fair at the Reitz Union Colonnade.
On Jan. 24 at 7pm, the Women’s Student Association will host a presentation and discussion by Dr. Faye Harrison, UF Faculty member, on Rosa Parks and women’s activism.
At 2pm on Jan. 25 there will be documentary viewing and discussion on Dr. King’s legacy and the integration of UF in the Ustler Hall Atrium. Also, at 6:00pm, there will be a Candlelight Vigil at the Reitz Union Amphitheatre in partnership with GatorNights. This vigil will kick-off with a reenactment of the “I Have A Dream” speech and also feature guest performances, video tributes, reflection, and a social justice pledge.
On Jan. 26 from 10am -1pm, The Forum Project, an organization which provides creative opportunities for individuals to explore their world and communities will be in the Smathers Library 1A hosting workshops to better educate individuals on how they can relate the values of MLK to their lives.
On Jan. 30 at 7pm, the Center for Leadership and Service will host a Human Rights Art Show in the Orange and Brew at the Reitz Union.
All events are free and open to the public. More information about all of the events can be found online through the UF MLK Celebration website at www.UFMLK.org
December 14, 2013
Writer: Sean Johnson
seanj@housing.ufl.edu
Source: Jarrod Cruz
jarrod.cruz@ufl.edu
Source Phone:
352-392-1217