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The 22nd annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium, one of the leading observances in the nation devoted to honoring the civil rights leader, will open this week and continue throughout the month. This year’s theme, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” is taken from King’s legendary “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” written April 16, 1963.
As in past years, MLK Day will include presentations by celebrities and social activists, including Lou Gossett Jr., Ben Vereen, Tiki Barber and Mos Def.
Vereen was announced Jan. 4 as a replacement for actor Danny Glover, originally scheduled to participate in the MLK Symposium. “It’s unfortunate that Danny Glover is unable to participate but we’re also very excited about such a capable individual as Ben Vereen who will be coming to the campus,” says John Matlock, associate vice provost and director of the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives.
Some of the Jan. 21 events include:
• The keynote King Memorial Lecture by Gossett at 10 a.m. in Hill Auditorium. Gossett has been active in social justice issues such as revitalizing New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. The actor — who won an Emmy Award for the TV mini-series “Roots” and an Academy Award for “An Officer and a Gentleman” — serves as a spokesperson and a behind-the-scenes leader for several charities. He also started a nonprofit foundation, The Eracism Foundation, with the aim of developing and producing entertainment that brings awareness and education to issues such as racism, ignorance and societal apathy.
• Actor Ben Vereen and Felix Justice are scheduled to present “An Afternoon with Martin and Langston,” 1 p.m. in the Power Center for the Performing Arts. Vereen is slated to portray Langston Hughes in this program. Justice will read from King’s writings during the dramatic presentation. Vereen is a Tony Award-winning, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-nominated American actor, dancer and singer who has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, television programs and films. His standout film roles include song-and-dance men in “Funny Lady” and “All That Jazz.” He probably is best known for his role as “Chicken” George Moore in “Roots.” Vereen also has performed in one-man shows and actively lectures on black history and inspirational topics.
• Retired NFL running back Tiki Barber addresses “Character Isn’t An Audible: Growth With Integrity,” at 2 p.m. in Rackham Auditorium, sponsored by the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. (Go to TV, football star Tiki Barber to give MLK talk on character >)
• Musician and actor Mos Def, who recently recorded with Kanye West and is committed to issues within the community including environmental justice and civil rights for the Jena 6 and Hurricane Katrina survivors, will perform at 7:30 p.m. in Hill Auditorium.
The 40-member MLK Symposium Planning Committee, which assists in organizing several OAMI-sponsored events, selected the theme. Other University departments and units also coordinate symposium-related activities through Feb. 5.
“The MLK Symposium Planning Committee continues to be impressed with the ongoing commitment of the campus community in recognizing and keeping the principals of Dr. King,” says Matlock. “We celebrate Dr. King’s life in so many different ways and there is something for everyone.”
Other MLK Symposium highlights include:
• The kickoff event will feature South African author Rose Moss reading from her work at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 10 in Lane Hall.
• Opening Lecture with Terrence Roberts of The Little Rock Nine: “Lessons from Little Rock,” 3 p.m. Jan. 17, Michigan Union Pendleton Room, sponsored by OAMI. Roberts was one of the Little Rock Nine, the children who were the first to integrate the Little Rock Public Schools in 1957. Roberts has served since 1975 as CEO of Terrence J. Roberts & Associates, a management consultant firm with clients including Cedars Sinai Hospital, the FBI, IRS and Pepperdine University. He has received numerous awards and is a member of several boards, including Pacific Oaks College Board of Trustees and the Little Rock Nine Foundation.
• Annual MLK Youth Program. The K-12 community throughout Washtenaw County is invited to explore King’s life and legacy in a day of entertainment, dialogue and creativity from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Modern Languages Building.
• James Forman Jr., 2:30 p.m. Jan. 21, 250 Hutchins Hall, sponsored by the Law School Office of Student Affairs and student groups. Forman, co-founder of the See Forever private school and the Maya Angelou Public Charter School, both in Washington, D.C., teaches at Georgetown University Law School. His talk is on “Race, Crime and Schools: A Civil Rights Agenda for This Generation.”
• Closing Lecture with Theresa Perry: co-author of “To Be Young Gifted and Black: Promoting High Achievement Among African American Students.” Perry, a professor at Simmons College and author, will speak at 1 p.m. Jan. 25 in the Pendleton Room in the Michigan Union. She has focused recent writings on the development of a theory of practice for achievement and a meta-analysis of educational environments that normalize high achievement for black students.
