Sylvester Brown, Jr., is an award-winning

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2 Schedule of Events Prelude Lift Every Voice and Sing (Black National Anthem) Selection Welcome and Introductions Chancellor s Remarks Statement of the Occasion United Methodist Bishop Woodie W. White 2015 Letter To MLK Student Essay Winner Orchestrating Diversity Orchestrating Diversity and Audience Orchestrating Diversity Jordan Finkelstein and Jonathan Williford Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton Jordan Finkelstein and Jonathan Williford Video Kendall Maxwell Black Anthology Performance Faculty Keynote Speaker Rosa L. Parks Award Presentation Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Service Award Presentation Provost s Closing Remarks Benediction We Shall Overcome Jason Q. Purnell, PhD Assistant Professor of Social Work Sylvester Brown Jr. Kiland Sampa Provost Holden Thorp Lerone A. Martin, PhD, Asst. Professor of Religion and Politics Harry V. Moppins Jr. - Organ Akua Owusu-Dommey, Ellie Borgstrom, and Jae Williams

3 Special Proram Participants Dr. Jason Purnell is trained in both applied psychology and public health. He received his doctoral degree in counseling psychology from Ohio State University and his Master of Public Health degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. Purnell s research focuses on how socioeconomic and sociocultural factors influence health behaviors and health outcomes and on methods for mobilizing community action on social determinants of health and health equity. He leads the For the Sake of All project, which is focused on the health and well-being of African Americans in St. Louis. The project is also concerned with influencing stakeholders to enact recommended changes at the local and state levels. Dr. Purnell is also very active in the St. Louis community, including service on the Peace & Justice Commission of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the Ready by 21 Leadership Council, and the Beyond Housing board. Sylvester Brown, Jr., is an award-winning journalist, consultant, and former publisher of Take Five Magazine, a pro-active, community-based, investigative publication which operated for 15 years. He was the metro columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch from 2002 until In 2012 he co-founded the Sweet Potato Project with a mission to restore economic activity in North St. Louis by creating alternative and progressive ways of producing and distributing locally grown products. The mission also includes teaching young men and women sustainable business and entrepreneurial skills that can change their lives. The project focuses on urban agriculture, marketing, sales, and self-sustainability. The outcome is a business that transforms sweet potatoes into a marketable product, sweat potato cookies. In a recent interview Mr. Brown stated, I m able to take young people who were raised in the same environment I was raised in and say you ve got something special, here s the resource, here is the opportunity. He encourages the kids to look at their environment through the lens of entrepreneurs. Mr. Brown blogs at sylvesterbrownjr.blogspot.com.

4 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During the less than 13 years of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. s leadership of the modern American Civil Rights Movement, from December, 1955 until April 4, 1968, African Americans achieved more genuine progress toward racial equality in America than the previous 350 years had produced. Dr. King is widely regarded as America s pre-eminent advocate of nonviolence and one of the greatest nonviolent leaders in world history. Drawing inspiration from both his Christian faith and the peaceful teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. King led a nonviolent movement in the late 1950 s and 60s to achieve legal equality for African-Americans in the United States. While others were advocating for freedom by any means necessary, including violence, Martin Luther King, Jr. used the power of words and acts of nonviolent resistance, such as protests, grassroots organizing, and civil disobedience to achieve seemingly-impossible goals. He went on to lead similar campaigns against poverty and international conflict, always maintaining fidelity to his principles that men and women everywhere, regardless of color or creed, are equal members of the human family. Dr. King s I Have a Dream speech, Nobel Peace Prize lecture and Letter from a Birmingham Jail are among the most revered orations and writings in the English language. His accomplishments are now taught to American children of all races, and his teachings are studied by scholars and students worldwide. He is the only non-president to have a national holiday dedicated in his honor, and is the only non-president memorialized on the Great Mall in the nation s capital. He is memorialized in hundreds of statues, parks, streets, squares, churches and other public facilities around the world as a leader whose teachings are increasingly relevant to the progress of humankind For the complete biographical essay see the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change ( The King Center ) Site at:

5 Quotes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Put yourself in a state of mind where you say to yourself, Here is an opportunity for me to celebrate like never before, my own power, my own ability to get myself to do whatever is necessary. ~MLK Never, never be afraid to do what s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way. ~MLK Programming Participants Jordan Finkelstein Arts and Sciences Class of 2016, Student Union President Lerone A. Martin Assistant Professor of Religion and Politics Kendall Maxwell Arts and Sciences Class of 2016 Harry V. Moppins Jr. Chair of the Black Alumni Council Executive Committee Holden Thorp Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Jonathan Williford Arts and Sciences Class of 2016, President of the Association of Black Students (ABS) Mark S. Wrighton 14th Chancellor of Washington University

6 PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS Black Anthology, which began in 1989, is the university s oldest cultural show and is a student-written and student-run production. Each year, Black Anthology creates a production that highlights issues that affect the African American community and the American culture more broadly. For performance information see: Orchestrating Diversity, directed by Mark Sarich, brings professional musicians and college faculty to young inner-city students in an intensified educational program. Students are taught music theory, history, and musicianship at the college level. They also participate in an ensemble performing symphonic literature, and are given private lessons on their instrument by many of the finest musicians in the area. The program is free for all students and is offered at the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center. For additional information see: Campus Partners African and African American Studies Program Association of Black Students Black Alumni Council Black Anthology Bon Appétit Catholic Student Center College of Arts and Sciences Center for Diversity and Inclusion Cornerstone: The Center for Advanced Learning Danforth University Center & Event Management Office of Campus Life Office of the Chancellor Office of the Provost Office of Residential Life Office of the Vice Chancellor for Students Orchestrating Diversity Student Involvement and Leadership Student Union Washington University Libraries

7 Affiliated Activities The Black Rep Help the Black Rep celebrate its 39th season Edison Series Sunset Baby By Dominique Morisseau Jan , 2016 Sunset Baby tells the story of Kenyatta Shakur, a onetime Black Revolutionary and political prisoner. After the death of his wife, Kenyatta desperately tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Nina, but finds that reconciling with his past means conquering the most challenging revolution of all: fatherhood. The Family Reunion: In My Father s House By Kelvin Roston, Jr. April 20-May 1, 2016 A fictionalized journey through the mind of musical genius Donny Hathaway. We see a man lost in space and time, batting schizophrenia and trying to come to terms with everything. Join us for an experience that explores the psychology of a genius and his music as he deals with the extreme circumstances of mental illness. Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award Nominate someone you admire for the Washington University Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award. The award recognizes people who exemplify a character of service and contribution to the St. Louis region. We encourage a broad range of nominations celebrating individuals who exude passion for service as a way of life, inspire compassion and action in others, and go above and beyond the call of duty. This university-wide award typically recognizes 5-7 members of the WU community every year. Recipients often include current undergraduates, graduate students, alumni, staff, faculty, and volunteers. Learn more and submit nominations at: Deadline for nominations: February 5, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Black Anthology February 12 and 13, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Edison Theatre Black Anthology 2016 presents woke on February 12 and 13 at Washington University s Edison Theatre. Black Anthology was founded in 1989 by Marcia Hayes-Harris to provide a means of commemorating the history and progress of African Americans. Since its creation, the program has been totally student run, from the script to set and costume design. In the beginning skits were compilations centered on pertinent literature. Over the years, the productions (cont.)

8 Affiliated Activities (cont.) have become a scripted play. Even with the changes in the format of the show, Black Anthology s aims remain the same and we, the executive board, hope to see the program continue to thrive. Visit or black.anthology@gmail.com for more information. Tickets go on sale at Edison Theatre Box Office ( ) Thursday, January 21, Tickets are $10 and $8 with a student ID. African Cultural Explosion Fashion Show African Students Association February 26, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Danforth University Center, Tisch Commons See the latest styles as well as long time favorites from different regions of Africa. Sample unique jewelry designs and visit with local African entrepreneurs at this explosion of colors, culture and panache. Visit or washu.asa@gmail.com for additional information. Follow us on The 11th Annual African Film Festival April 1-3 at 7:00 p.m. Youth Matinee - April 2 at 3:00 p.m. Brown Hall, Room 100 Enjoy the latest in award-winning and internationally acclaimed African cinema from eight different countries. Visit toliver-diallo@wustl.edu, or call for additional information. The Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium Spring Semester 2016 (Date: TBD) Sponsored by the Association of Black Students (ABS) and the African and African American Studies Program, this annual event provides opportunity for fun and activities as well as serious dialogue. Location: Various locations around campus. Signs will be posted. Visit ABS at: abs.wustl.edu 25th Annual St. Louis African Arts Festival - World s Fair May 28-30, 2016 Pavilion in Forest Park The St. Louis African Arts Festival is held in beautiful Forest Park. Each year the festival attracts a diverse audience of thousands of local residents and out-oftown visitors during the Memorial Day weekend. The Festival draws the community together in celebration of the rich contributions of Africa and the African Diaspora (diaspora--people settled far from their ancestral homelands). For more information visit: or call

9 The MLK Jr. Commemoration Committee 2015/2016 Brenda Archie (Human Resources) Gail Boker (Office of the Provost) Jacqueline Carter (Olin School of Business) Dean Choi (Student Involvement and Leadership) Rudolph Clay Jr. Chair (University Libraries) Cynthia Cosby (Black Alumni Council) Gretchen Dalzell (University Libraries) Nick Dietrich (Residential Life) Nadia Ghasedi (University Libraries) Professor Robert (Bob) Hansman (School of Architecture) Phyllis Jackson (Danforth University Center & Event Management) Meg McClelland (Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences) Lucas Prize (Catholic Student Center) The Committee organizes and plans the logistics for the program activities of the MLK Commemoration celebration. Washington University faculty and staff are welcome to join the committee. See for additional information. Margaret Bush Wilson Civic Engagement Grant The MLK Commemoration Committee administers this grant to financially support programming initiatives that directly reflect the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his work toward social justice, civic engagement and equity for all. There are a limited number of $ grants available to support Washington University student organizations. Applications will be accepted each academic year until the first Friday in April. Applications can be downloaded at:

10 Lift Every Voice and Sing Poem by James Weldon Johnson ( ) Set to music by John Rosamond Johnson ( ) Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us, Facing the rising sun of our new day begun Let us march on till victory is won. Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers died? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand. True to our God, True to our native land.

11 We Shall Overcome We shall overcome, We shall overcome, We shall overcome, some day. Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe We shall overcome, some day. We ll walk hand in hand, We ll walk hand in hand, We ll walk hand in hand, some day. Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe We shall overcome, some day. We shall live in peace, We shall live in peace, We shall live in peace, some day. Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe We shall overcome, some day. We are not afraid, We are not afraid, We are not afraid, today Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe We shall overcome, some day. The whole wide world around The whole wide world around The whole wide world around some day Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe We shall overcome, some day.

12 Thank you for attending the MLK Commemoration. Please join us in the Tisch Commons, located in the Danforth University Center (DUC), for a reception, sponsored by Bon Appetit, immediately following the close of the program. Our student ushers will assist you.