The Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Series was established in 1985 at Vanderbilt University as a celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Held each January as a part of the observance of Dr. King's birthday, the lectures and events of the Series serve to educate the Vanderbilt and Nashville communities on Dr. King's historic achievements and his enduring influence.

In honoring Dr. King, Vanderbilt University affirms its own commitment to the goals of peace and racial justice to which Dr. King dedicated his life.

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Series - January 2008

Connecting Generations: Take A Stand!

For a poster listing of the 2008 series, click HERE

January 9-February 1, 2008
Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center
Opening reception 4:00- 5:00 p.m., Monday, January 14
Life in the Village: The Art of Stephen Babalola
A 28-year-old Vanderbilt Ph.D. candidate, Stephen Babalola paints richly colorful impressionistic celebrations of life as in the village of Idi-ogun, home of the Yoruba Tribe, in Nigeria, West Africa. Exhibit on display 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

MONDAY, JANUARY 14
4:10 p.m., Vanderbilt Kennedy Center/MRL Building, Room 241
“Agonistic Stress and Hypertension Risk in Urban Youth: How Social Power Threats Damage Health,” a lecture by Craig Ewart, Professor of Psychology, Syracuse, University. Dr. Ewart's Project Heart studies, conducted in partnership with urban public high schools in Baltimore and Syracuse, NY, investigate how difficult living environments affect social power and social competence in adolescents and young adults in ways that foster patterns of behavior that can undermine health as one gets older.

Monday, January 14
Keynote Address

Harry Belafonte

5:00 p.m. reception, 6:00 p.m. lecture
Student Life Center Ballroom

Chancellor’s Lecture Series
Martin Luther King Commemorative Series Keynote Address
Harry Belafonte is known worldwide for his accomplishments as a recording artist and concert singer, as an actor and a producer, and for his commitment to human rights. He became the entertainment industry’s first cultural adviser to the Peace Corps in the early 1960s. He  was also a driving force that united the cultural elements behind the needs of the Civil Rights movement. The success of that mobilization could be seen in the overwhelming presence of the arts community in places like the marches from Selma to Montgomery and the protests in Birmingham, Alabama, as well as the Freedom March in Washington, DC in 1963. “My social and political interests are part of my career. I can’t separate them,” said Belafonte. “My songs reflect the human condition. The role of art isn’t just to show life as it is, but to show life as it should be.” (Parking in Terrace Place Garage)

Monday, January 21
Noon-1:00 p.m., Light Hall, Room 208
A panel discussion organized by Vanderbilt School of Nursing and Vanderbilt School of Medicine. Vanderbilt University Medical and Nursing students will participate in volunteer activities with selected agencies throughout the Metro community.

4:00 p.m. reception, 5 pm lecture, 6:00 p.m. Vigil, Benton Chapel
Touré, MLK, Jr. Day Candlelight Vigil
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Touré, an American novelist, music journalist, cultural critic, and BET correspondent, will give a talk. His articles have appeared in Rolling Stone, Vibe, The New Yorker, among others. Afterwards, there is to be a performance by the Jeremiah Generation Praise Team, followed by a candlelight vigil. The event is sponsored by OBGAPS and the Bishop Johnson Black Cultural Center.

Wednesday, January 23
3:30 – 5:00 pm Flynn Auditorium, Vanderbilt University Law School
Constance Slaughter-Harvey will give a lecture entitled “A Recipe for Equal Justice in Today’s Society.” She was the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Mississippi’s Law School and to integrate the Mississippi Bar Association. She faced prejudice and discrimination from the all-white, all-male law students. She went on to become Assistant Secretary of State in Mississippi and also was appointed to the Presidential Scholars Commission by President Carter. She currently runs her own law firm specializing in civil rights cases.

Saturday, January 26
Noon-2:00 p.m., Bishop Johnson Black Cultural Center
Martin Luther King Jr., Oratorical and Essay Contest Winners’ Reading & Luncheon
Young people from the Nashville community will recite their winning essays and poems, on the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin King, Jr. The winning students, chosen by a Vanderbilt University committee, will receive awards and recognition and will be honored at a special luncheon/reception. Participation is not open to the public.

For additional information on this Series:

History of Series

How to Get Involved

Resources

Reaching Us:
Religious Life
(Phone) 615-322-2457
(Fax) 615-343-8355
(E-mail) gay.h.welch@vanderbilt.edu

MLK Site Map

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