2016 mlk commemoration celebration

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MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016, 6PM KEYNOTE Van Jones Leader, CNN Contributor, Author A CONVERSATION WITH Nikki Giovanni Poet and Distinguished Professor, Virginia Tech Rockefeller Memorial Chapel 5850 South Woodlawn Avenue Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial District of Columbia

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Page 1: 2016 MLK Commemoration Celebration

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016, 6PM

KEYNOTE

Van JonesLeader, CNN Contributor, Author

A CONVERSATION WITH

Nikki GiovanniPoet and Distinguished Professor, Virginia Tech

Rockefeller Memorial Chapel5850 South Woodlawn Avenue

Martin Luther King, Jr. MemorialDistrict of Columbia

Page 2: 2016 MLK Commemoration Celebration

W E L C O M E

Stephanie Greene, 3rd Year, The College

“ L I F T E V E R Y V O I C E A N D S I N G ”

Chicago Children’s Choir – Voice of Chicago EnsembleJosephine Lee, President & Artistic Director

Judy Hanson, Director of Choral Programs & Associate Director Mollie Stone, Director of World MusicJohn Goodwin, Principal Accompanist

R E A D I N G O F D R . M A R T I N L U T H E R K I N G , J R .

Carlos Cárdenas-Iñiguez, PhD Student, Social Sciences Division

P E R F O R M A N C E

Chicago Children’s Choir – Voice of Chicago Ensemble

R E M A R K S

President Robert J. Zimmer

I N T R O D U C T I O N O F S P E C I A L G U E S T

Teresa Hord Owens, Dean of Students, Divinity School

C O N V E R S AT I O N

Nikki Giovanni, Poet and Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech UniversityTheaster Gates, Professor, Department of Visual Arts and the College and Director, Arts + Public Life

P E R F O R M A N C E

Chicago Children’s Choir – Voice of Chicago Ensemble

I N T R O D U C T I O N O F S P E A K E R

Teresa Hord Owens, Dean of Students, Divinity School

K E Y N O T E

Van Jones

C L O S I N G

Elizabeth Davenport, Dean of Rockefeller Chapel

O R G A N R E C E S S I O N A L

Thomas Weisflog, University Organist

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Page 3: 2016 MLK Commemoration Celebration

S P E C I A L G U E S T

N I K K I G I O VA N N I

Nikki Giovanni is a world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. Over the past 30 years, the

outspoken nature of her writing and speaking has brought the eyes of the world upon her. One of the most widely read American poets, she prides herself on being “a Black American, a daughter, a mother, a professor of English.” The Academy of American Poets voted Giovanni #1 poet for the spring of 2007.

Giovanni remains as determined and committed as ever to the fight for civil rights and equality. Always insisting on presenting the truth as she sees it, she has maintained a prominent place as a strong voice of the Black community. Her focus is on the individual—specifically, the power one has to make a difference in oneself and in the lives of others.

Giovanni has written more than two dozen books, including poetry, children’s books, and three collections of essays. Her book Racism 101 includes essays, many of which are autobiographical, about race and American culture, with an emphasis on higher education. Rosa, her biography of legendary civil rights activist Rosa Parks, won Caldecott Honors and the Coretta Scott King Medal for best illustrated book. Other books include the collection of adult poetry Acolytes and the novel On My Journey Now: Looking at African American History Through the Spirituals. Three of her volumes of poetry—Love Poems, Blues: For All the Changes, and Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea—were winners of the NAACP Image Award in 1998, 2000, and 2003. Her newly released collection, Bicycles: Love Poems, has been called one of her “most powerful offerings to date” by Essence magazine. Giovanni’s spoken word recordings have also achieved widespread recognition.

She has received 21 honorary doctorates and a host of other awards, including Woman of the Year titles from three magazines and the Governors’ Awards in the Arts from both Tennessee and Virginia.

Since 1987, she has been on the faculty at Virginia Tech, where she is a University Distinguished Professor. As a devoted and passionate writer, teacher, and speaker, she inspires not only her students but also readers and audiences nationwide.

K E Y N O T E S P E A K E R

VA N J O N E S

Van Jones is a globally recognized, award-winning pioneer in human rights and the clean energy economy. A Yale-

educated attorney, he has written two New York Times bestsellers: The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Solve Our Two Biggest Problems, the definitive book on green jobs, and his latest, Rebuild the Dream, a manifesto on rebuilding the American economy.

In 2009, Jones worked as the green jobs advisor to the Obama White House, helping run the inter-agency process that oversaw $80 billion in green energy recovery spending. Prior to that, he worked successfully to get the Green Jobs Act of 2007 passed, which authorized $125 million to train 35,000 people a year in green-collar jobs.

A constant innovator in the quest to create a sustainable, environmentally beneficial economy, he is the founder of Green for All, a national organization working to get green jobs to disadvantaged communities. Green for All part-nered with Al Gore’s Alliance for Climate Protection to form the Green for All Academy, which trains US grass-roots leaders to effectively advocate for an inclusive, green economy. Jones also founded the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and Color of Change, two social justice organizations, as well as Rebuild the Dream, a platform for bottom-up, people-powered innovations to help fix the US economy, of which he is currently president.

Van Jones speaks as both a grassroots outsider and a White House insider, championing the creation of green jobs in order to fight both poverty and pollution.

One of Time’s “100 Most Influential People” of 2009, Jones has been recognized for his efforts to improve the world. Among his many honors, he has been named to Rolling Stone’s 2013 list of “12 Leaders Who Get Things Done” and The Root’s 2013 “The Root 100.” He was also named Time’s 2008 “Environmental Hero” and one of the most influential/inspiring African Americans of 2008 by Essence. Earlier in his career, Jones was awarded the 1998 Reebok International Human Rights Award; the International Ashoka Fellowship; the Rockefeller Foundation’s Next Generation Leadership Fellowship; and was selected as a World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader.

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Page 4: 2016 MLK Commemoration Celebration

D I V E R S I T Y L E A D E R S H I P

A L U M N I AWA R D

C H A R L E S B R A N H A M

Charles Branham graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Rockford College and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. As a Professor of History since

1974, Branham has educated people from all backgrounds to the roles and experiences of African Americans in the U.S. and lectured at world-renowned public and private institutions. In recognition of his commitment, Branham was awarded the Silver Circle Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Branham’s contributions also include having served as past chairman of the United Way of Chicago’s Committee on Race, Ethnic and Religious Discrimination; consultant to the Chicago Board of Education; and expert witness in the Political Action Conference of Illinois case, which forced the City of Chicago to give greater political representation to African Americans. Additionally, in 1983, his testimony before the Chicago City Council laid the foundation for the city’s policy on minority business affirmative action. Branham’s legacy includes winning an Emmy Award as the writer, co-producer, and host of “The Black Experience,” the first nationally televised series on African American history and authoring numerous publications, including The Transformation of Black Political Leadership in Chicago, 1865–1943.

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D I V E R S I T Y L E A D E R S H I P

AWA R D S

In 2007, President Robert Zimmer appointed the Diversity Leadership Council to help ensure that the University’s relationships with its staff, surrounding neighborhoods, and business partners appropriately reflect the University’s commitment to diversity as a part of its core mission.

As part of its role, the Diversity Leadership Council annually recognizes a University staff member who exemplifies leadership in fostering a more diverse academic community and/or in improving the University’s relationship with our surrounding neighborhoods or business partners.

The Council, in concert with the University of Chicago Alumni Board of Governors, also selects for recognition a University of Chicago alumnae/us who has provided leadership in advancing social justice and equality, furthering the University’s goal of achieving greater diversity across our community and society.

In 2015, a new category was added to recognize a UChicago faculty member whose contributions to enhance diversity and social justice have made a significant impact nationally, locally, and on campus.

Visit diversity.uchicago.edu/dla for additional information and a nomination form.

Charles Branham, Nancy Schwartz, and Denise Jorgens are recipients of the University of Chicago 2016 Diversity Leadership Awards.

Page 5: 2016 MLK Commemoration Celebration

D I V E R S I T Y L E A D E R S H I P

F A C U LT Y AWA R D

N A N C Y S C H WA R T Z

Nancy Schwartz is Dean for Postdoctoral Affairs in the Biological

Sciences Division and Professor of Pediatrics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. For more than 30 years, Schwartz has been committed to increasing the diversity within the biomedical sciences. She plays integral roles within organizations such as the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), and the Leadership Alliance. Schwartz has recruited and mentored diverse high school, undergraduate, graduate, and medical students for over 20 years in a number of pipeline and training programs and encourages other faculty members to enhance their training efforts and value diversity in their programs. Schwartz has also spent the last 12 years leading the Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP), which provides research, training, and enrichment activities to recent college graduates from diverse backgrounds. More recently, Schwartz led efforts to successfully secure funding from the National Institutes of Health to execute the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD), a program that provides focused interventions and developmental activities for underrepresented graduate students.

D I V E R S I T Y L E A D E R S H I P

S TA F F AWA R D

D E N I S E J O R G E N S

Denise Jorgens is the Director of International House, a residential and

international program center serving the University of Chicago and Chicago-area communities. She received her bachelor’s degree from Augsburg College and her master’s and doctorate from the University of Chicago. As Director, she leads, manages, and provides strategic direction for programs that create meaningful opportunities for discussion and engagement in community, national, and world affairs. Under her leadership, International House offers more than 200 public programs each year, including music and cultural performances, outreach programs, collaborations with foreign consulates, language exchanges and discussions, and forums and debates led by distinguished guest speakers. Through Global Voices and other programs, Jorgens has ensured that International House supports educational and cultural organizations that raise awareness of contemporary and global issues such as social justice and equality. Students at International House hail from over 50 countries. Jorgens is a Board Member of the Chicago-Delhi Sister Cities Committee, Chicago Sister Cities International, and active member of the Association of International Educators.

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Page 6: 2016 MLK Commemoration Celebration

T H E A S T E R G AT E S

P R O F E S S O R , D E P A R T M E N T O F V I S U A L A R T S A N D T H E C O L L E G E

D I R E C T O R , A R T S + P U B L I C L I F E

Theaster Gates creates platforms. In Chicago, Gates’ leadership of artist- led spaces has catalyzed an evolution in perceptions of some of the most underserved parts of the city. Beginning with interventions

in small- scale residences, now known as Dorchester Projects, Gates’ houses in Greater Grand Crossing became a nexus for globally engaged experiments in structures of individual and collective living, working and art- making. Launched into the international art world as 12 Ballads for Huguenot House at Documenta 13, the houses embodied a new system of values not only in the austere yet inviting atmosphere incorporating once- discarded materials as design elements, but in the ongoing, flexible use of the spaces and the creation of new relationships and opportunities among artists, visitors and students. As evident in the synergistic design process of his mindful building practices and persistent challenging of organizational structures, Gates’ development projects function as an extension of his studio work. Gates takes on the problem of Black space as a formal exercise, reminiscent of Beuys concept of social sculpture. The latest example of this work is the Stony Island Arts Bank, which opened in conjunction with the inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial in October 2015. At the University of Chicago, Gates is a Professor in the Department of Visual Arts and the College, and Director of Arts + Public Life which is housed at the Arts Incubator in Washington Park. He also leads an urban research initiative known as Place Lab—a team of social scientists, architects, creative professionals and business leaders. With support from the Knight Foundation, Gates and his team will create frameworks for reimagining the role that culture plays in the redevelopment of transforming African American communities over the next three years. Gates is helping to define the future of artistic place- based efforts, in research and practice.

C H A N G E E X C H A N G E

Join our conversation about history, hope, and responsibility.We invite you to share a quote or story that has shaped or changed your understanding of

history and our collective responsibility to work towards a more equitable society.

Consider submitting a Change Exchange notecard as you leave tonight’s program or posting on social media using #MLKexChange. To view submissions, please visit mlk.uchicago.edu/change-exchange.

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Page 7: 2016 MLK Commemoration Celebration

M L K C O M M U N I T Y R E C E P T I O N

Guests are invited to join us as we continue the celebration of Dr. King’s legacy, immediately following the Rockefeller Chapel program

Ida Noyes Hall, Cloister Club1212 East 59th Street

Enjoy refreshments and live jazz by the Harold Washington Trio

A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S

The MLK Commemoration Celebration is a community-wide event, with many supporters across campus and the city. Thank you to all who make the program possible.

S P O N S O R S

Campus and Student LifeCivic EngagementInstitute of Politics

Center for Identity + Inclusion / Office of Multicultural Student AffairsRockefeller Memorial Chapel

UChicago CreativeVice President for Communications

T H E M E D E V E L O P M E N T: “ H I S T O R Y, H O P E , A N D R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y ”

Black Students Association at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

2 0 1 6 M L K C O - C H A I R S

Karlene Burrell-McRae, Ed.D, MSWDirector of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and Associate Dean of Students in the University

Ravi RandhavaAssociate Director, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs

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Page 8: 2016 MLK Commemoration Celebration

L I F T E V E R Y V O I C E A N D S I N G

James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938)

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 sighed?

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 hast brought us thus far on the way;

Thou who hast 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.