MLK Celebration at 潑請弝け University, Jan. 23-30
Fania Davis, JD, PhD, a social justice activist, Civil Rights trial attorney with over 27 years of experience and restorative justice practitioner, will be this years keynote speaker at the 2017 MLK Jr. Convocation. The event will be held on Wednesday, January 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Quick Center for the Arts.
Dr. Davis founded Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY) in 2005 with Oakland City Councilmember, Nancy Nadel, and community activist, Aeeshah Clottey. Inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process that followed apartheid in South Africa and made youth incarceration virtually obsolete in New Zealand, RJOY began with a series of meetings to explore the possibility of bringing a similar program to Oakland. RJOY works to stop cycles of youth violence and incarceration by promoting institutional shifts towards restorative approaches that engage families, communities and systems to provide education, training and technical assistance.
Dr. Davis has received the Ubuntu Award for service to humanity, the Dennis Maloney Award for Excellence in Youth Restorative Justice, and World Trust's Healing Justice Award. The Los Angeles Times named her aNew Civil Rights Leader of the 21st Century.
The Convocation will be preceded by a dinner and award presentation of this years Vision Award recipients , individuals who demonstrate a commitment to the ideals and values of Dr. King, and the winners of the annual essay contest for middle school students. The 2017 Vision Award Recipients are Anmol Tabassum '18, Paul Lakeland, PhD,Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., Chair in Catholic Studies & Professor of Religious Studies and Ophelie Rowe Allen, EdD, director of Residence Life .
Carrie Robinson, assistant director of the Office of Student Diversity, and Rachelle Brunn-Bevel, assistant professor of Sociology and Anthropology, are co-chairs of this years MLK observance, supported by a committee of volunteers. More details are available at 潑請弝け.edu/mlk .
Additional events include:
Memorial March
Tuesday, January 24, 3:30 p.m.
Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola
Students and faculty will join in a Memorial March around campus to raise awareness about the history of social justice and activism at 潑請弝け.
Poetry for Peace
Tuesday, January 24, 6 p.m.
Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
For the ninth year, Poetry for Peace brings elementary school students from Bridgeport schools to campus to read their award-winning poetry.
Day of Service
Thursday, January 26
Various Locations
Youth Leadership Academy
Friday, January 27, 9:30 a.m.
The University will host more than 100 eighth-graders in the Youth Leadership Academy, where they will learn leadership skills, including conflict resolution, anti-bullying techniques and more.
Gospel Mass
Sunday, January 29, 7 p.m.
Egan Chapel
Danney Gibbs, minister of Music for The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Mass Choir, will lead the music at a special 7 p.m. Mass on Sunday, January 29, in the Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola.
Open VISIONS Forum: James Blake
Monday, January 30, 8 p.m.
Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
$35 | $5 潑請弝け University Students. QCA Member Price: $27.
Purchase tickets at .
Free At Last Screening and Panel Discussion
Wednesday, February 15, 7 p.m.
Kelley Center
A documentary about the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s organization of the 1968 Poor Peoples Campaign, featuring footage filmed during the last few months of his life. This event is free and open to the public.
