The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will celebrate the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with a series of events from Jan. 12-19.
Nebraska’s annual MLK keynote speech will be delivered by Theo E.J. Wilson at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17 in the Nebraska Union Auditorium. The presentation, “In the Shadow of King: 50 Years of Race in America,” is free and open to the public.
Wilson, also known by his poet handle, Lucifury, is an award-winning spoken word artist, pianist, actor, singer, rapper, dancer and activist. He will draw upon his undercover experience in the “alt-right” to give perspective to this new era of racial tension and explore solutions to pressing social matters.
The 2018 Chancellor’s Fulfilling the Dream Awards will be presented during the event. This year’s honorees are J. Kalu Osiri, director of international business and associate professor of practice in management at Nebraska, and Eric Buchanan, Lincoln community leader and director of strategic partnerships for the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. The awards are given to individuals or groups who have contributed to the university or Lincoln by their exemplary action in promoting King’s goals and vision.
Other MLK Week events on campus or sponsored by the university are listed below. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Jan. 12, 7:30 a.m.: 25th annual MLK Freedom Breakfast, Embassy Suites: Martha Florence, director of community engagement at Nebraska Educational Telecommunications, will be the keynote speaker. The breakfast is sponsored by the university, Southeast Community College and Lincoln Public Schools. Tickets are $25, with proceeds going toward scholarships for students in Lincoln. To purchase tickets, contact Ed Wimes at ewimes@nebraska.edu or 402-202-3267.
Jan. 15, 8 a.m.: 23rd annual MLK Youth Rally and March, Nebraska Union. The event, sponsored by Lincoln Public Schools, will start with a pre-rally and empowerment program at the union. It will continue with a unifying march through downtown Lincoln and culminate with the “Call to Action” program at the Nebraska State Capitol.
Jan. 16, noon: Dish It Up!, Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, OASIS Lounge. Afrikan People’s Union representatives will facilitate a discussion with university students on King’s vision of the “dream” and their own experiences. All students are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be provided.
6:30 p.m.: Film screening, “I Am Not Your Negro.” As part of its Indie Lens Pop-Up series, Nebraska Educational Television will present the Oscar-nominated 2016 documentary. The film will be followed by a discussion, moderated by Patrick Jones, associate professor of history and ethnic studies at Nebraska.
Jan. 18, 6:30 p.m.: Panel discussion, “African-Americans in Higher Education,” Nebraska Union Auditorium. Hosted by the Black Graduate Student Association, the panel will feature faculty, staff and students at Nebraska including Colleen Jones, associate professor of practice in management; Clearthur Mangram, associate director of admissions; Deadric Williams, assistant professor of sociology; Kaleb Briscoe, doctoral student in educational administration; Crystal Dunning, graduate student in music; and Davielle Phillips, graduate student in architecture and business administration.
Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m.: MLK Banquet, Nebraska Union Ballroom. Hosted by the Afrikan People’s Union, the banquet will feature a keynote address by Michael Combs, professor of political science at Nebraska. Tickets are $15 for University of Nebraska-Lincoln students and $20 for non-students. For more information, contact Justin Jackson at jackson.justin@huskers.unl.edu.
