Pitt to Host “Becoming a Just Community” in Celebration Of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy and Service

To celebrate the legacy and service of Martin Luther King Jr., the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Cross-Cultural and Leadership Development in the Division of Student Affairs will host “Becoming a Just Community,” a series of events in King’s honor that will run through Jan. 21.

Highlighting the week will be a social justice symposium for Pitt faculty, staff, and graduate students titled “Building a More Just Community: From Awareness to Action” from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the University Club; and a Race and Diversity Lecture, open to the University and greater Pittsburgh community, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the William Pitt Union (WPU) Assembly Room. Both the symposium and lecture will feature best-selling author and educator Tim Wise, who will offer his perspective on dismantling racism. Nationally renowned, Wise has delivered his message to more than 600 colleges and community groups throughout the United States.

The celebration culminates with the second annual Unity Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 21 in the WPU Assembly Room with special guest André Kimo Stone Guess, president and CEO of the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Pittsburgh. A partial schedule of events follows.

Tuesday, Jan. 18

3-4:30 p.m., Pursuing the Promise: Youth Reflect on Dr. King

Pitt hosts youth from the Pursuing the Promise Program

Sixth Floor, WPU.

8:45-10 p.m., Common Ground Workshop: Resisting Oppression Together

Presented by the Campus Women’s Organization

Room 540, WPU.

Thursday, Jan. 20

9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Social Justice Symposium: “Building a More Just Community: From Awareness to Action”

Special Guest Tim Wise

University Club.

7-8:30 p.m., Race and Diversity Lecture

Special Guest Tim Wise

WPU Assembly Room.

Friday, Jan. 21

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Equipoise Unity Brunch

Special Guest André Kimo Stone Guess

WPU Assembly Room.

The events are sponsored by Pitt’s Black Action Society, the Cross Cultural and Leadership Development (CCLD) Office, Dean of Students Kathy Humphrey and the Division of Student Affairs, and the University of Pittsburgh Chaplaincies. For more information, call the CCLD at 412-648-9523 or visit www.mlkcelebration.pitt.edu.

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