Martin Luther King III will speak on campus next week as part of a series of multicultural events honoring his father, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
King, the second oldest child of the slain civil rights leader, has dedicated the past two decades to writing, speaking and activism in support of his father’s mission of equality and social justice. He will discuss his father’s motivation and dedication in a speech entitled “My Father’s Dream, My Mission” Jan. 14 in Gates Concert Hall at 7 p.m.
Through the years, King has established a number of programs aimed at helping disadvantaged youth. He’s served on the Board of Commissioners for Fulton County, Ga.; was president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; and founded and directs Realizing the Dream, a nonprofit coalition committed to spreading the core message of his father’s dream.
“Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most prominent advocates of civil rights and social justice in America,” says Joel Portman, AUSA senator and chairman of the student senate’s diversity committee. “Every student on campus recognizes his contribution.”
King’s speech kicks off two weeks of events affirming DU’s commitment to multicultural diversity, says Tony Daniels, associate athletic director for diversity and community relations and co-chair of DU’s MLK celebration.
Daniels says organizers have scheduled events meant to attract a wide range of interests to support the University’s mission of inclusive excellence. Events include a multi-faith tribute at DU’s new Hillel House, a concert featuring Negro spirituals, a social justice poetry reading and a speech by a former African-American Ku Klux Klan member.
Richard Lapchick (MA ’70 and PhD ’73, international studies) will speak to the DU community at the Champions for Diversity luncheon, Jan. 14, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., in the Ritchie Center’s Gottesfeld Room.
Campus radio station KVDU will broadcast events and DU’s student newspaper, the Clarion, will poll students on their vision of diversity.
“We wanted to get the whole campus involved, to put our diversity into action,” says Daniels.