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Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder recaps Augsburg College’s MLK Convocation

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder - logoThe Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder recently published an article and photo gallery covering Augsburg College’s 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation, which was held January 18 and featured a speech by legendary rapper and author Chuck D.

The event began with performances by a number of local artists, much to the delight of the keynote speaker. The article states that, “His excitement was noticeable as he jumped to his feet and snapped photos of the acts smiling from ear to ear.”

The article also included interviews with Augsburg students Erickson Saye ’16, Robert Harper ’16, and Reis Francisco Romero ’16. Romero was instrumental in organizing the event; he is the president of Augsburg College’s chapter of Save the Kids, a student group that co-sponsored this year’s convocation.

“It’s going to take me a while to conceptualize everything. I’m glad we did it, I’m glad it’s over, but now the real work starts,” Romero said of the event. “We have to work together to end this miserable condition on this earth.”

Read and view: PHOTOS | Rapper Chuck D refocused MLK Day from past to present on the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder site.

KMSP covers Augsburg College’s Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation
with Chuck D

Fox 9 - logoFox News affiliate KMSP recently aired a segment about Augsburg College’s Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation, which took place on January 18. This year’s event featured Chuck D–author, activist, and co-founder of influential rap group Public Enemy. Chuck D spoke to a full auditorium about how King’s ideas and legacy should be applied to the current struggles against racism faced by today’s young people.

The segment featured brief statements by Chuck D, spoken word artist Sha Cage, and those who attended the event.

“People that used to close their doors and say, ‘You know what, my voice doesn’t matter,’ are coming outside and they are picking up signs,” Cage said of recent protests and activism.

Watch: Public Enemy’s Chuck D. talks racial tension at Augsburg on the KMSP site.

Local news outlets include Augsburg College’s MLK Convocation in holiday event coverage

Pioneer Press - logoSeveral media outlets have recently published curated lists of local events scheduled in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which takes place on Monday, January 18. The lists published by the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and Minnesota Public Radio News each included Augsburg College’s MLK Convocation, an annual event that honors the legacy of King with notable speakers addressing topics of race and social justice.

This year’s convocation will feature Chuck D, leader and co-founder of legendary rap group Public Enemy, author of two critically acclaimed books, and a political activist, publisher, radio host, and producer. He will give a presentation called “Race, Rap, and Reality: Supporting Our Youth in the Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as They Face the Unique Challenges of Today.”

 

MLK Convocation celebrates silver anniversary

MLK_Convo_2013Augsburg College will honor the calling of one of the United States’ visionary civil rights leaders on Monday, January 21, by hosting the 25th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation.

The presentation, “Searching for MLK: A provocative exploration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” will take place at 1 p.m. in Hoversten Chapel and will include thought-provoking archival images, song, movement, and written excerpts from Dr. King.

“Each year, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation offers us the opportunity to celebrate the life of Dr. King, and—more importantly—reaffirm our community’s commitment to the values associated with his legacy: social justice, peace, and non-violence,” said Mohamed Sallam, director of the Pan-Afrikan Center and Convocation committee chair. Continue reading “MLK Convocation celebrates silver anniversary”

MLK Convocation features T. Mychael Rambo

mlk_convoThe Augsburg College Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation will feature actor, vocalist, and educator T. Mychael Rambo. The convocation, which also includes performances of poetry, song, dance, and imagery, is titled, “Now is the Time: Giving Voice to the Dream.”

Set against a backdrop of his most memorable speeches, quotations, and historical events from the Civil Rights era, this celebration pays tribute to the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. through performances from renowned Twin Cities artists and talented members of the Augsburg College community. As part of this event, students from the Southside Family School will also share an excerpt from their world premiere production, “Keeping the Dream Alive.” Hosted and curated by T. Mychael Rambo, this stirring performance will give voice to “the dream” and refresh our resolve to boldly proclaim, that indeed “Now is the time!” Continue reading “MLK Convocation features T. Mychael Rambo”

Ekwueme Michael Thelwell to speak at the Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation Jan. 21, 2008

mlkThe 20th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation will be held Jan. 21, 2008, at 1 p.m. in Hoversten Chapel. The convocation, entitled “Visions of a Just Society: Dr. King’s Legacy,” will feature guest Ekwueme Michael Thelwell, professor of African-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts.

Michael Thelwell was born in Ulster Spring, Jamaica in 1939. After graduating from Jamaica College, he went to work as a public relations assistant for the Jamaica Industrial Development Corporation in 1958. He moved to the United States in 1959 and received a B.A. from Howard University and an M.F.A. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Thelwell has worked as director for the Students Non-violent Coordinating Committee in Washington D.C., where he also worked for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (1964-65). He has been a professor in the African-American Studies department at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst since 1969. He is the author of two screenplays, several articles and a novel, “The Harder They Come.” Continue reading “Ekwueme Michael Thelwell to speak at the Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation Jan. 21, 2008”