Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 1-12-16 Edition

Dr. Martin Luther King Events Grammy Winner ‘Killer
Annual MLK Interfaith Service
Mike’ Headlines USF’s MLK Commemorative Week
Award-winning rapper and activist lectures on Jan. 20
The University Lecture Series (ULS) at the University of South Florida is proud to host Michael Redner, aka “Killer Mike,” as the MLK Convocation lecturer, the signa- ture event of the 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Week, held Jan. 15-22.
Render, nicknamed Killer Mike for “killing the microphone,” is known as a socially conscious and politically engaged rapper. He made his music debut on OutKast’s 2000 album Stankonia, and later appeared on OutKast’s Grammy-winning song The Whole World.
In 2013, “Killer Mike” and rap- per-producer El-P formed Run the Jewels and released their self-titled debut via Fool’s Gold Records. “Run the Jewels 2” was released in Oct. 2014 to rave reviews with Rolling Stone naming it Best Rap Album of 2014.
Render’s noted activism on to- pics of social equality and systemic racism has led to interviews on nu- merous media platforms and atten- dance of the 2015 White House Correspondents Dinner.
In a time when conversations about race, inclusion and equality are in the spotlight on college campuses across the nation, ULS and the Office of Multicultural Affairs (the coordina- tor of MLK Commemorative Week), were committed to bringing a speaker offering a critical and conscious per- spective on social issues affecting stu- dents.
Redner’s entertainment value coupled with his commitment to building community though critical dialogue made him an excellent fit to address the USF community as the university honored the legacy of Dr. King, Jr.
The Convocation is scheduled for 8 p. m. (doors open at 7:30 p. m.) on Wednesday, Jan. 20 in the Oval Theater in the Marshall Student Center (MSC). This event and others open to the public during USF’s MLK Com- memorative Week include:
MLK Dedication Luncheon, Friday, Jan. 15, 12:15 – 1:30 p.m., MSC Ballroom. Remarks by Dr. Cheryl Rodriguez, Director of the Institute on Black Life.
MICHAEL REDNER ...aka ‘Killer Mike
Attend this luncheon to reflect on the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.; seating is limited. RSVP by Jan. 12.
Interfaith Service for the Homeless, Friday, Jan. 15, 6 – 9 p.m., 1609 N. Franklin Ave., Tampa
USF’s Project Downtown invites people of all faiths and beliefs to come together to serve the homeless.
Stampede of Service, Saturday, Jan. 16, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Corbett Soc- cer Stadium
Thousands of USF student volun- teers head out to various Tampa Bay area sites for a morning of service.
MLK Candlelight Vigil, Tues- day,Jan.19,7–9p.m.,MLKPlaza Fountain
Join Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for this annual event.
Black Faculty Appreciation Brunch, Wednesday, January 20, 10 a. m. Hosted by the Progressive Black Men, Inc.
Vision Board: Bull Market,
Wednesday, January 20, 10 a. m. – 2 p. m. I Have A Dream. Come share and write your visions. Hosted by Black Student Union.
Mobilizing the Dream: Taking Action to Uphold Dr. King’s Vi- sion at USF, Thursday, January 21, 5:30 p. m. MSC Ballroom. Hosted by National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Black Student Union.
MLK Open Mic, Thursday, Jan- uary 21, 7 p. m. Hosted by Interna- tional Student Association.
For more information or to view the full schedule, which includes some Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival events, visit the MLK Week website.
For more information about the University Lecture Series seating and attendance policy, visit the ULS web- site.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr.
The 27th Annual Hillsborough County Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Service will take place on Monday, January 18th at the Allen Temple AME Church, 2101 Lowe Street, Tampa, starting at 3:45 p. m.
This year’s keynote speaker is Eric Deggans, NPR TV Critic and author of Race Baiters: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation. Deggans was the former Tampa Bay Times media/TV Critic.
The emcee for the service will be Denise White, who recently retired from Fox’s WTVT-Ch. 13.
In addition to the keynote speech, the service will include musical selec- tions and prayers for peace from an eclectic variety of faiths in the Tampa Bay area.
Five Choirs will be a part of the service: Tampa Bay Women’s Cho- rus, Allen Temple AME Choir, Bible- Based Carrollwood Choir, St. Paul Catholic Church Latino Choir, and the state Ismaili Choir. Also expected to provide music, Maurice Jack- son and James Crumbly.
The Robert Saunders Award will be presented to James Hammond. Hammond co-founded the Tampa Hillsborough Action Plan in 1987. The nonprofit focuses on economic development, housing and health services.
The offering collected at the serv- ice will be donated to the Calvary Community Health Clinic. Fol- lowing the service all are invited to enjoy a dinner prepared and served by the volunteers of the Allen Temple AME Church. The prayers for peace will be given by 2 USF students.
Dr. Roy Kaplan, coordinator of the Commemoration Committee, has been involved with the committee for 26 of the 27 years. “I recall Bob Saunders and the pastor at the time of St. Paul AME Church coming to me and telling me they wanted me to help plan this event. Maurice Jack- son even pulled together a choir. I’ve been involved ever since,” he said. For years the service was held at St. Paul AME Church downtown, “and we’ve been at several other venues.”
ERIC DEGGANS ...Keynote speaker
JAMES ‘JIM’ HAMMOND ...Recipient, Robert W. Saunders Award
DENISE WHITE ...Mistress of Ceremonies
DR. ROY KAPLAN ...Coordinator, MLK Interfaith Service
Dr. Kaplan, who is semi-retired, teaches a course at the University of South Florida, “Racism in American Society for the Dept. of Africana Studies. He also writes, and does di- versity consulting for Hillsborough and Pasco Counties School Districts.
Over the years, Dr. Kaplan says many have come on board and they’re always looking for others to join the committee. “People have come on board to keep this ac- tivity going and to keep the dream alive.”
The MLK Commemoration Com- mittee is especially grateful to the MLK Day of Service Committee for making this event possible.
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