Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will always be remembered as a great orator, and his eloquent speeches and public addresses will be forever embedded in the American conscience. His insight and reflections on the true meaning of justice and equality inspired social programs, cultural education, and cross-cultural dialogue throughout the land.
As we move forward on planning the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Symposium on Social Change, I encourage the entire Penn community to participate in the activities being planned. From January 16 –27 we will re-ignite the Dream by building on the Beloved Community that Dr. King spoke so passionately about on numerous occasions. The 2006 Commemorative Symposium will offer dynamic programming that empowers individuals to help end the practice of racism, strengthen and appreciate diversity, embrace cultural arts, nurture a quest for knowledge, support free expression, embrace a growing interfaith community, and promote community service and interracial cooperation.
Most of us know about Dr. King’s teaching of nonviolent social change, equality and justice, but how many of us know about his teachings on serving one another. It is my hope that during this year’s Commemoration we will rekindle Dr. King’s thinking, values and words in the minds of all individuals throughout the Penn Community so that we will make serving one another along with serving our neighborhoods and communities a way of life. Hopefully, the enriching experience will inspire you to incorporate service in your life.
Please join us on Monday, January 16, 2006 for “A Day On And Not A Day Off.” Encourage your family, friends, co-workers and fellow students to sacrifice a portion of the day to participate in one of the several volunteer projects offered by the University.
For more information and to volunteer, please visit the Martin Luther King website at www.upenn.edu/aarc/mlk/.
—Afi Roberson-Heywood, Executive Chair
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Symposium Executive Committee
The 2006 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Symposium on Social Change Executive Planning Committee reminds the University community that
December 2 is the deadline for the Eleventh Annual Community Involvement Recognition Awards. The awards honor members of the Philadelphia community whose active service to others best exemplifies the ideals Dr. King espoused.Forms may be submitted online at:
www.upenn.edu/aarc/Nomform.html.For information contact the African-American Resource Center at (215) 898-0104 or e-mail
aarc@pobox.upenn.edu.—Commemorative Symposium Executive Committee