UNH celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. with address by Kevin Powell March 2

By Denise Hart, Media Relations

Kevin Powell, journalist, poet, hip-hop historian and community activist, visits UNH March 2, to offer his keynote address “Looking for Martin: Are Dr. Kings’ Dreams Still Relevant?” as part of UNH’s 2005 Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.

Kevin Powell

The event takes place in the MUB Strafford Room at 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Parking is permitted in UNH lots after 6 p.m. without a permit. The nearest parking lots to the MUB are Lots C and B; a campus shuttle serves all the parking areas.

Powell’s earlier appearance, scheduled for Jan. 26, had to be postponed due to weather.

Powell is the author of six books and has written articles for Vibe, The New York Times Magazine, Essence and Rolling Stone and appeared on national television speaking about politics and culture. His most recent book is Who’s Gonna Take The Weight? Manhood, Race, and Power in America, an Essence magazine bestseller. He edited Who Shot Ya? a chronicle of the hip-hop movement as seen through the lens of photographer Ernie Paniccioli. Powell began his career as a cast member of MTV’s The Real World in the early 90s.

“The theme of this year’s celebration is “Each one, reach one: to act, inspire, and lead,” says Irene Kao, multicultural coordinator for the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and chair of the celebration planning committee. “We are challenging members of the extended UNH community to venture beyond remembrance and celebration to asking how we can carry on King’s work for social justice, community service and respect for all people.”

The UNH Diversity Team and Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee will present the second annual Social Justice Awards following Powell’s talk.

A reception and book signing with Kevin Powell closes the event.

For updated information about the event visit: http://www.unh.edu/insidescoop/mlk or call Irene Kao at 2-5053.