The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Action Week at California State University, Fresno is Jan. 15-18 and will include a talk by Fresno State English professor Dr. James Walton with opening ceremonies set for noon Tuesday.
Walton, an Alabama native, attended the famous 1963 March on Washington when King delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial before civil rights leaders met with President John F. Kennedy in the White House.
The Fresno State campus is closed Monday, Jan. 21 in honor of the late civil rights leader, who is memorialized with a statue in the university’s Peace Garden on campus.
Presented by the Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute, Black Students United (BSU), Africana Studies and other campus groups at Fresno State, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Action Week includes opening ceremonies at noon Tuesday, the BSU Poetry Jam Friday night and “graffiti walls” that can be signed to indicate one’s personal commitment to action.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Action Graffiti Walls will be located in the Free Speech Area, University Courtyard and the USU Pavilion through Friday.
The tribute to Dr. King Tuesday will be in the Free Speech Area with remarks from University President John D. Welty, Associated Students Inc., President J.P. Moncayo and former administrative law judge Cynthia George as well as a newly choreographed performance by alumnus Tara Boyd to Mahalia Jackson singing “We Shall Overcome.”
The BSU Poetry Jam on Friday, Jan. 18, from 8-11 p.m. in the Satellite Student Union will feature powerful spoken word poetry from local and regional poets as well as musicians and performances in tribute to Dr. King in the spirit of action.
For details (times and locations), visit the Cultural Heritage Institute Web site at www.csufresno.edu/cvchi or call 559.278.6946.
Martin Luther King Week Events
Graffiti Walls
“What Will I Commit to do to Fulfill the Dream?” Think of this Holiday as a day to ACT! Write your commitment to action on one of our Graffiti
Walls.
Date(s): Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Location(s): Free Speech Area
University Courtyard
USU Pavilion
Dr. King’s Birthday Tribute to Dr. King and Acknowledgement of the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (The Sorority of Coretta Scott-King)
Date: Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Free Speech Area Platform
Speakers: University President John D. Welty
Associated Students President Juan Pablo Moncayo
Black Student’s United President Dalitso Ruwe
Assistant Vice-President Joyce Ester
Performance: choreographed piece by alumnus Tara Boyd to Mahalia Jackson singing “We Shall Overcome”.
Poetry Jam!
Come hear local and regional poets, musicians and performing artists give tribute to Dr. King.
Date: Friday, January 18, 2008
Time: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Location: Satellite Student Union (SSU)
Sponsor: Black Students United
