UNH Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 22-26

Contact: Denise Hart
603-862-1462
UNH Media Relations

Jan. 10, 2005



Editors, New Directors: We are re-issuing this press release as a panel discussion on Jan. 26  “Student Leadership and Activism: Voice and Action” has been added to the public events for UNH’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The event takes place from 2-4 p.m. in the Memorial Union Building’s Strafford Room.
 
If reporters are interested in a telephone interview with Kevin Powell, the keynote speaker, before he arrives in NH, please contact Denise Hart at 862-1462.
 
DURHAM, N.H.— Kevin Powell, journalist, poet, hip-hop historian and community activist, is the keynote speaker at the University of New Hampshire’s 2005 Martin Luther King Jr. celebration Jan. 26. This year’s three-day celebration focuses on the theme “Each one, reach one: to act, inspire, and lead,” kicking off with a student activism conference Jan. 22.
     

Kevin Powell

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.
      
“We are challenging members of the extended UNH community to venture beyond remembrance and celebration to asking how we can carry on Dr. King’s work for social justice, community service and respect for all people,” says Irene Kao, multicultural coordinator for the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and chair of the celebration planning committee.

The celebration honoring Martin Luther King Jr. includes:

Jan. 22: 1st Annual Service and Activism Conference, Memorial Union Building Strafford Room, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The conference is oriented towards students and will explore pathways in community participation and how to be a change agent. For more information visit http://www.unh.edu/serve/mlkconf.htm.

Jan. 25: Candlelight Vigil, Lawn outside Health Services, 6 p.m.; Spiritual Celebration of the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr., Community Church of Durham, 6:30-8 p.m.

Jan. 26: Student Leadership and Activism: Voice and Action Panel Discussion featuring Kevin Powell, faculty and students, 2-4 p.m., Memorial Union Building, Strafford Room. A reading packet is available online at the celebration’s website (see below).; Keynote address: Kevin Powell, 7 p.m., Johnson Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center at the UNH Durham campus. The UNH Diversity Team and Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee will present the second annual Social Justice Awards, followed by a reception and book-signing with Powell in The Art Gallery.
      
For updated information about the event visit: www.unh.edu/insidescoop/mlk or call Irene Kao at 862-5053.