Release date: Dec. 18, 2003
Contact: Deb Hammacher, Associate Director, University Media Relations,
at 404-727-0644 or dhammac@emory.edu

Emory Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Week

Emory University's celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Week is highlighted by keynote speaker Elaine Brown, author and former chairwoman of the Black Panther Party. Brown's lecture, "New Age Racism in America," will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jones Room, Woodruff Library, 540 Asbury Circle, Emory. This event is free and open to the public. For more information on King Week events, call 404-727-4148 unless otherwise noted.

Brown is an activist, writer and lecturer. Her lectures focus on resolving problems of race, gender oppression, class disparity and the vision of an egalitarian and inclusive society. She has published several books, including her autobiography, "A Taste of Power: A Black Woman's Struggle," and the critically acclaimed "The Condemnation of Little B."

Brown became the first and only female leader of the Black Panther Party in 1974. During her tenure, women in the party began taking more official roles and the party began to seek power through legitimate political channels. The group succeeded in having a Black Panther Party candidate elected as the first black mayor of Oakland, Calif. Brown's tenure with the party lasted three years.

Brown still upholds the vision of the Black Panther Party and the programs it developed, including the Free Breakfast Program for Children, Sickle Cell Anemia testing, free health clinics and many other programs. She is the president of the nonprofit educational corporation Fields of Flowers, director of political affairs for the National Alliance for Radical Prison Reform, a board member of Mothers Advocating Juvenile Justice and vice-president of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation.

Other popular events taking place during King Week this year include a volunteer tree planting in the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District, a jazz vespers service at Cannon Chapel and a student tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. in song, dance and spoken word.

The schedule of Martin Luther King Jr. Week activities follows. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 404-727-4148 unless otherwise noted.

Jan. 19
"Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. Through Service"
Volunteers will plant trees in conjunction with Trees Atlanta in the Martin Luther King Jr. historic district or lead games, stories and crafts with children at Walden Middle School. 9 a.m. Parking is on the street. Volunteers meet at Historic District Development Corporation, 522 Auburn Ave., Atlanta, to plant trees on Hogue St. 404-727-6268

Jan. 20
Keynote Address
"New Age Racism in America." Elaine Brown, former chairwoman of the Black Panther Party and author of "A Taste of Power" and "Condemnation of Little B." 7:30 p.m. Jones Room, Woodruff Library, 540 Asbury Circle, Emory.

Jan. 21
Concert and Birthday Cake Celebration
A Voices of Inner Strength gospel concert honoring Martin Luther King Jr. 8 p.m. Coca-Cola Commons, Dobbs Center, 605 Asbury Circle, Emory.

Jan. 22
Community Service Awards
"Lest We Forget: Building Community Through Unity, Service and Collective Responsibility." Reception to follow. 4 p.m. Goizueta Business School Auditorium, 1300 Clifton Rd., Emory.

Film Screening and Panel Discussion
"The Intolerable Burden." Constance Curry, producer. Panelists will include Allen Tullos, Emory Graduate Institute of the Liberal Arts; Leroy Davis, Emory history department; Susan Ashmore, Oxford College history department; and Jennifer Hsu, Emory College sophomore. Constance Curry will respond. 4:30 p.m. Jones Room, Woodruff Library, 540 Asbury Circle, Emory.

Jazz Vespers Service
Featuring Dwight Andrews, associate professor of music at Emory and senior minister of First Congressional. 7 p.m. Cannon Chapel, 515 Kilgo Circle, Emory.

Ecumenical Celebration
Annual service remembering Martin Luther King Jr. Luther Smith, associate dean and professor at the Candler School of Theology, will speak. 7:30 p.m. Allen Memorial United Methodist Church, Pierce St., Oxford College, Oxford, Ga. 770-784-8888

Jan. 23
Performance
A student tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. in song, dance and spoken word. Reception to follow honoring the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars of Emory. 7 p.m. 208 White Hall, 480 Kilgo Circle, Emory.

Jan. 25
Worship Service
Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, co-founder (with Martin Luther King Jr.) and president emeritus of Southern Christian Leadership Conference, will preach. Voices of Inner Strength will sing. Reception follows in Brooks Commons. 11:15 a.m. Cannon Chapel, 515 Kilgo Circle, Emory.

Jan. 13-Feb. 21
Exhibition
"Images of Reconciliation: Visual Reflections of the 2003 Journeys of Reconciliation to the Mississippi Delta, Montana, Appalachia and the Texas/Mexico Border." 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Main Gallery, Dobbs Center, 605 Asbury Circle, Emory. 404-727-4449

Emory University is known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate college of arts and sciences, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities. For more than a decade Emory has been named one of the country's top 25 national universities by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to its nine schools, the university encompasses The Carter Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Healthcare, a comprehensive metropolitan health care system.

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