Activist, social critic and author Dr. Marc Lamont Hill will speak Friday, Jan. 13th during a Community Breakfast celebrating the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The breakfast begins at 8 a.m., with the program following at 8:30 a.m. in Watkins Room of the Trone Student Center on the Furman University campus.
Dr. Hill’s talk, “Building Community and Resistance in the Age of Trump,” is part of “Building the Beloved Community,” a series of events honoring MLK. The Community Breakfast featuring Hill is open to the public and is sponsored by Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives of Furman University’s Student Life, and the Community Relations office. Tickets are $50 per person.
Hill is Distinguished Professor of African American Studies at Morehouse College and is a political contributor for CNN, and the host of BET News and VH1 Live. Hill has received awards from the National Association of Black Journalists, GLAAD, and the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Ebony Magazine named him one of America’s 100 most influential Black leaders.
Adding a depth of understanding to the country’s changing paradigms on diversity, hip-hop culture, youth, politics and national issues, Hill is known for his thoughtful perspectives on topics ranging from sexuality to education to religion.
A social activist who is deeply involved within his community, Hill espouses a higher degree of engagement and economic self-empowerment, raising the bar of African American leadership to a new level.
Hill embraces an entirely new approach to teaching. He is author of the pioneering Beats, Rhymes, and Classroom Life: Hip-Hop Pedagogy and the Politics of Identity; his newest book is The Classroom and the Cell: Conversations on Black Life in America.
Hill holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on the intersections between culture, politics and education.
Other Furman events commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. follow. All events are free and open to the public with the exception of the Jan. 13 Community Breakfast and the Jan. 29 Scholarship Gala.
MLK Day of Service, Monday, Jan. 16
Watkins Room, Trone Student Center
8 a.m. check-in and breakfast
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Community Projects at various venues
Sponsor: Furman Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives in Student Life; Fraternity & Sorority Life; and Heller Service Corps
Contact: Nancy Cooper, [email protected], 864-294-2900
“Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise,” Wednesday, Jan. 18, 6 p.m.
Burgiss Theatre, Trone Student Center
Documentary and Panel Discussion
Sponsor: The Urban League of the Upstate
Contact: Deborah Allen, [email protected], 864-294-2267
MLK Interfaith Celebration, Sunday, Jan. 22, 5 p.m.
Daniel Memorial Chapel
Rev. Hannah Bonner (Class of 2008), proclaimer of justice, love and truth
Marlanda Dekine (Class of 2008), poet
Contact: Maria Swearingen, [email protected], 864-294-2133
Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Gala Sunday, Jan. 29, 3 p.m.
Melvin and Dollie Younts Conference Center
Sponsor: Alpha Phi Alpha Greenville Foundation, www.alphagreenville.org
Tickets: $50 per person
Contact: Allen Cook, [email protected], or 864-380-5781
Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Program and Rudolph Gordon College Fair, Saturday, Feb. 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Burgiss Theater and Watkins Room, Trone Student Center
Sponsor: Alpha Phi Alpha Greenville Foundation, www.alphagreenville.org
Contact: Bobby Clark, [email protected], or 864-441-9067
Joseph Vaughn Oratorical Contest, Saturday, Feb.18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Burgiss Theater, Trone Student Center
Sponsor: Alpha Phi Alpha Greenville Foundation, www.alphagreenville.org
Contact: Michael Chatman, [email protected], or 864-906-7078
For table or ticket information about the Community Breakfast featuring Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, contact Chandra Dillard, [email protected], or 864-294-2503. More information about Furman University MLK events may be found at www.furman.edu/MLK, or contact Deborah Allen, [email protected], 864-294-2267.