Claremont, Calif. (January 22, 2014) — Pitzer College hosts The Claremont Colleges’ annual celebration of the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. on January 31, 2014. Presented by the Claremont University Consortium Office of Black Student Affairs (OBSA), the 2014 commemoration includes a panel discussion with members of the Black Panther Party and artists from RISE Arts Collective.
The Annual MLK Jr. Commemorative
Call and Response: The Art of Social Justice
January 31, 2014
Office of Black Student Affairs Civil Rights Era Exhibit
11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Office of Black Student Affairs
This multimedia installation at the OBSA captures the Civil Rights Era.
Fireside Chat
3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Office of Black Student Affairs
Students are invited to chat with panel participants one-on-one at the OBSA.
Panel Discussion: Where the Dreams of King and the Black Panther Party Meet
7:30-9:30 p.m. at the George C.S. Benson Auditorium, Pitzer College
Spend an evening with members of The Black Panther Party (1966-82), who will share their stories from various racial, ethnic, class, gender and generational perspectives, and artists who created RISE: Love. Revolution. The Black Panther Party, a groundbreaking group art exhibit.
Art depicts, reflects and interprets humanity, including ever-changing expressions of social justice worldwide. Within the African diaspora, it documents the historical importance and resonance of “call and response.”
The call to fight for social justice was pivotal in the 50s and 60s, and the response created multiple movements, among them, the Civil Rights and Black/Brown/Yellow Power Movements. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights activists galvanized an era of change that continues to impact society today.
The event includes a special performance by Gerald C. Rivers, an actor, voiceover artist and inspirational speaker known as “The Voice of King” for his performances of Martin Luther King’s speeches. Pitzer Vice President of Student Affairs Brian Carlisle will introduce the panel discussion. Journalist, filmmaker and KPCC film critic Tim Cogshell will moderate the discussion.
These events are free and open to all Claremont Colleges students. For more information about the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration 2014, please contact the OBSA at: [email protected].
Claremont University Consortium’s Office of Black Student Affairs supports undergraduate and graduate students of African descent at The Claremont Colleges by collaborating with faculty, staff, administrators, students and alumni to provide culturally significant scholarship, programming, events and services.
