MLK Commemoration
Thursday, January 28, 2010
26th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration
Keynote Speaker: Nikki Giovanni
Farthing Auditorium, 7:00pm
During the 1950s and 60s, Civil Rights Movement leaders like Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired millions to stand up against social injustice. The Movement’s message of non-violence and civil disobedience would inspire pivotal events like the lunch counter sit-in in Greensboro NC, the bus boycott in Montgomery AL, the integration of Central High School in Little Rock AR, the freedom rides throughout the South, the march to Montgomery, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Nikki Giovanni is a world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. One of the most widely-read American poets, she prides herself on being “a Black American, a daughter, a mother, a professor of English.”
Giovanni remains as determined and committed as ever to the fight for civil rights and equality with a focus on the individual, specifically, on the power one has to make a difference in oneself, and thus, in the lives of others. Giovanni is a Distinguished Professor of English at Virginia Tech.
Nikki Giovanni appearances: Thursday, January 28 through Saturday, January 30
MLK Speaker Reception and Book Signing Thursday 5:30-6:30pm
Farthing Auditorium Lobby
Sign books and greet event attendees
MLK Commemoration Keynote Thursday 7-8:30pm
Farthing Auditorium
Deliver an approximately 50 minute keynote address reflecting on the contributions and legacy of Dr. King, and Professor Giovanni’s own thoughts on social justice today.
Poetry Reading and Q&A with the Center for Appalachian Studies Friday 10-11am
Great Hall (room 205) Living Learning Center
A short poetry reading and Q & A session for the Center for Appalachian Studies. Professor Giovanni was interviewed in the recently released documentary Appalachia: A History of Mountains and People. Dr. Giovanni will read from her poetry related to Southern Appalachia and elaborate on her comments in that documentary during a Q & A session with our students and faculty.
Contact Dr. Katherine Ledford 262-4089, 688-9521
High Country Home Builders' Plaza, 105 Bypass, Boone
A 25-minute talk and reading on Professor Giovanni's children's poetry, followed by a luncheon honoring locals nominated for helping children and families. This luncheon is an annual fundraiser for the Children's Playhouse. Information and tickets, call 828-263-0011 or goplayhouse.org.
Contact: Dr. Martha McCaughey 262-7603
CEAD Conference Saturday 11:30am-2:30pm
Plemmons Student Union
Dr. Giovanno to deliver keynote address and facilitate one conference workshop.
Contact: Suzette Patterson 262-6252
Community and University Co-Sponsors
- Center for Appalachian Studies
- The Children’s Playhouse of Boone, a non-profit children's museum serving families in the High Country
- Appalachian Seniors Program
- Women's Studies Program
- Interdisciplinary Studies Program
- The Scholars Bookshop at the University Bookstore
- Cratis D. Williams Graduate School
- ASU Sociology Club
*Appalachian Senior Programs and the ASU Sociology Club are sponsoring a food drive in conjunction with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration address by Nikki Giovanni. Please bring your donation of non-perishable food items to the auditorium. All donations collected at the event will be distributed among food banks for the five counties served by Appalachian Senior Programs (Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, Watauga, Wilkes).
