VINCENNES, Ind. - Vincennes University will celebrate and honor the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at a banquet on January 22, 6 p.m. (EST), at Green Activities Center. The event is hosted by VU’s Department of Multicultural Affairs and the public is invited to attend.

Tickets cost $5 and are available at VU’s Old Post Bookstore in the Beckes Student Union.  VU students and employees may obtain one free ticket by going to the Student Center in the Student Union. Information is available by calling 812-888-5886.

The keynote address will be presented by Frank Leon Roberts. An activist and faculty member at NYU’s Gallatin School, Roberts is best known for creating and teaching the first Black Lives Matter college course in the country. For his expertise on U.S. social movements, Frank is also a sought-after contributor to The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, Ebony, CBS, CNN, NPR, The Huffington Post and more.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Frank Leon Roberts helps you understand the history and significance of the Black Lives Matter movement while promoting education as a means to more effective community organizing.

Frank’s energetic presentations bridge the gap between theory and practice, as he complements decades of firsthand experience as a grassroots political organizer with an intellectual framework supported by his deep historical knowledge of civil rights history, African American literature, and race and ethnicity studies.

As he recounts the origins of BLM and the social context that the movement emerged from, Frank captivates audiences with his passionate declarations in favor of empowerment for marginalized communities. He inspires participants to learn from the past and use their energy today to create a world that works for everyone.

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LINK to VU Online Newsroom, click HERE

VICKIE PUFFER, Communications Coordinator & Online Newsroom Manager
   812-888-4162 office, 812-887-4635 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu, vpuffer@vinu.edu
MARCIA MARTINEZ, University Life Reporter & Sports Information Director
   812-888-4164 office, 314-599-1519 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu, mmartinez@vinu.edu
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY, Department of University Relations, www.vinu.edu/news/newsroom