MLK Day at Juniata College: Home

• Black Freedom Struggle in the United States: A Selection of Primary Sources
  • "This website contains approximately 1,600 documents focused on six different phases of Black Freedom
    • The Civil Rights and Black Power Movements (1946-1975)
    • The Contemporary Era (1976-2000)

Keith Boykin "This Is Your Future, What Will You Do With It?”

Boykin is a New York Times bestselling author, the founder of the National Black Justice Coalition, and has appeared on multiple national television programs. In his presentation, he will address topics of intersectionality and privilege. Boykin believes that by recognizing the intersection of identity markers and noting where privilege is held, individuals can then use their privilege to serve others.

Taylor Smallwood. "New York Times Bestselling Author to Speak at Juniata's 26th Martin Luther King Convocation." Juniata College Campus News. January 9, 2018.

Steve Perry “This Is Your Future, What Will You do With It?"

Perry has gained a national reputation as a change agent in approaching education. Perry will detail his life journey, which began as the child of a 16-year-old single mother. His mission includes high-quality education with college-bound opportunities for children in poverty. His theory of education centers on the idea that to best educate a child, teachers and administrators must treat the children and their parents as family.

"Renowned Educator to Speak at Juniata for King Convocation." Juniata College Campus News. January 10, 2017.

Loretta Ross “Building a Human Rights Movement for the 21st Century is Dr. King's Dream Realized"

Ross is co-founder and was the national coordinator, from 2005 to 2012, of the SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, a nationwide network of women of color and allied organizations within the reproductive justice movement. will talk about Martin Luther King's last Sunday sermon, delivered March 31, 1968 -- which was only four days before he was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn. Ross will discuss how King laid out a plan for a human rights revolution in that final sermon and how today's activists can use the same human rights framework to work for social justice in a way that includes everyone.

"Loretta Ross, Author-Activist, to Speak at Juniata's MLK Convocation." Juniata College Campus News. January 11, 2016.

Lois Moses "Celebrating the Dream…The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."

Moses has toured throughout the United States with this presentation as well as such productions as "No More Blues/Black Woman," "No Child Should be…Left Behind" and her most recent work, "Beyond Sound and Fury: Sacrifice and the True Poetic Voice." The Convocation presentation "Celebrating the Dream" explores the legacy of Martin Luther King and the struggle for civil rights, through spoken-word performance and music. Her programs focus on the voices of African-American women speaking for themselves in an effort to heal from a challenging past.

"Juniata Convocation Presents 'Celebrating the Dream' at Convocation." Juniata College Campus News. January 12, 2015.

Erika Huggins "The Intersection of Love and Power: Women in the Human Rights Movement,"

Ericka Huggins will use her experience serving as a leader of the Black Panther Party in New Haven, Conn., and in California, as well as her experience serving time in jail as a political prisoner as she awaited a trial on conspiracy charges, as a mirror to show how love for oppressed women, men and children inspired activism from women in revolutionary movements.

"Civil Rights Activist to Discuss Intersection of Love, Power." Juniata College Campus News. January 13, 2014.

Camille A. Brown

Trained originally as a musician, Brown formed her dance company in 2007 after a long career as a dancer and choreographer. She has performed with many dance companies, including the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and Rennie Harris/Pure Movement, and has choreographed dances for Ailey companies, Philadanco, Urban Bush Women, August Wilson Dance Ensemble and Mallet Memphis. In her talk, Brown will relate how Martin Luther King's life and lessons have influenced her experiences with racism, sexism and body image. Her talk to the Juniata community is particularly resonant because she spent two weeks at the college in fall 2012 preparing a new work, "Mr. TOL E. RAncE," that uses the stereotyped roles black performers had to play as fuel for a new piece combining dance, comedy and live music.

"Juniata Hosts Dancer Camille A. Brown as MLK Celebration Speaker." Juniata College Campus News. January 13, 2013.

"Dance Company to Perform New Dance Piece based on Tolerance." Juniata College Campus News. January 21, 2013.

Imani Uzuri "The Gypsy Diaries."

In her Monday concert, Uzuri will discuss and perform pieces from her upcoming album, "The Gypsy Diaries." Featuring vocals, violin, cello, acoustic guitar, sitar and daf, Uzuri's music is both spiritual and meditative. Uzuri's work goes beyond music and concerts. She also has made a mark in experimental theatre, performance art and museum sound installations. Uzuri's debut album, "Her Holy Water: A Black Girl's Rock Opera" has been heralded as "one of the best of the decade" by BoldAsLove.us.

"Imani Uzuri, Performer-Scholar, Honors Martin Luther King Jr. at Juniata" Juniata College Campus News. January 9, 2012.

Rafael Agustin, Miles Gregley, and Allan Axiba "N*W*C."

Rafael Agustin, a Latino actor, performs with Miles Gregley, an African-American actor, and Allan Axibal, a Filipino actor. The three conceived and wrote the show and started performing it in 2005. Daisuke Tsuji, also performs the show in recent years. It uses three derogatory ethnic slurs in its title and does not skirt the issue of race and the taboos of using hurtful racial slurs in a public or artistic setting. Called "N*W*C" in a shorthand version of the title, the play examines themes and issues connected to racism such as ethnic identity, racial slander, stereotyping, immigration and representation in media and popular culture.

"Three Actors Create Portrait of Race in America" Juniata College Campus News. January 10, 2011.

James Loewen

Loewen, who worked as a professor of history and race relations at the University of Vermont and now writes full-time from his home in Washington, D.C., created a best-selling book that revealed how much textbook historians left out of school history books. "Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your High School History Texts Got Wrong," was written in 1995 and received the 1996 American Book Award and the Oliver Cromwell Cox Award for "distinguished anti-racist scholarship."

"Juniata Hosts Civil Rights Historian for MLK Convocation Lecture" Juniata College Campus News. January 11, 2010.

Panel "The Role of Faith Groups in Civil Rights Issues."

Panel Moderator: Rev. Stanley Bhasker, pastor of the Huntingdon Presbyterian Church.

Panelists:

Imam Yahya Hendi is the Muslim chaplain at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and is the founder of the group Clergy Beyond Borders.

Michael Penn, professor of psychology at Franklin & Marshall College, serves on the boards of the Tahirih Justice Center in Washington, D.C. and the Baha'i Association of Mental Health Professionals.

Rabbi Serena Fujita is the Jewish chaplain at Bucknell University. She earned her ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, the seminary for the Reform Movement.

Phil Jones, director of the Church of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, works as an advocate for change in U.S. policies for peace and justice.

"Panel of Religious Leaders to Discuss Role of Faith Groups in Civil Rights Issues" Juniata College Campus News. January 12, 2009.

Sabrina Sojourner "The Role of Faith Groups in Civil Rights Issues."

Sabrina Sojourner, who is openly gay, has built a second career as a writer and lecturer. She has often given public lectures on multiculturalism and how race and sexuality can intersect. She also has an active career as an organizational and management consultant for diversity, community-building, and leadership. She has lectured and presented workshops at corporations and college campuses across the country.

"Former District of Columbia Representative to Speak at Martin Luther King Convocation" Juniata College Campus News. January 7, 2008.

Tim Wise

Tim Wise, a diversity consultant and author, whose books include "White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son" and Affirmative Action: Racial Preference in Black and White," has spoken at more than 400 college campuses across the nation. He also maintains an active consultancy providing anti-racism training to teachers, physicians and medical professionals, as well as to government, military and law enforcement officials.

"Weeklong Schedule of Events Commemorates Martin Luther King Jr." Juniata College Campus News. January 15, 2007.

Drum Circle

"This year we will have campus community service projects going on all day in which students, faculty and staff can participate and we will ask convocation goers to work cooperatively through music to create a unique and beautiful percussive masterpiece" says Rosalie Rodriguez, special assistant to the president for diversity and inclusion at Juniata.

Participants in the drum circle will receive one of 300 drums shipped to Juniata for the event. Created by the group Village Music Circles, these events are designed to bring together large groups of people from all walks of life to experience the unity and community created by active and rhythmic group dynamics.

"Bang a Drum: Juniata to Create Rhythmic Experience to Honor Martin Luther King" Juniata College Campus News. January 4, 2006.

A Yearlong Celebration of Civil Rights at Juniata

Yolanda King "Living the Dream" 127th Commencement, May 14, 2005.

"Juniata Continues Civil Rights Theme at Commencement, Hosting Speaker Yolanda King" Juniata College Campus News. April 18, 2005.

"Why Did We Go? A Panel Reflection" Living Testimony: Civil Rights Reunion and Renewal, March 20, 2005.

Dwight T. Pitcaithley "The National Park Service and the Civil Rights Movement: Remembering a Difficult Past" Woodrow Wilson Fellow Lecture, February 3, 2005.

John Lewis "Get in the Way" Will Judy Lecture, October 4, 2004.

Shawn Amos

Amos is an eclectic performer who balances a career as a recording artist with duties as a freelance record producer and who also has pursued careers as a screenwriter and business executive.

"Cultural Historian Shawn Amos to Perform, Educate for King Convocation" Juniata College Campus News. January 12, 2004.

Paul Loeb "The Soul of a Citizen: Dr. King's Legacy in a Difficult Time."

Loeb has been a writer and civic activist for more than 30 years, writing primarily about citizen responsibility and empowerment. He is an associated scholar at the Center for Ethical Leadership in Seattle, Wash. Loeb will speak about how ordinary citizens -- students in particular -- can make their voices heard. He will describe how to get involved in community issues and how that involvement can give people a sense of connection and purpose.

"Author to Speak on Civic Responsibility for King Convocation" Juniata College Campus News. January 6, 2003.

Community Choir Directed by Anthony Leach "I Still Believe."

The music selections will be taken from gospel and spiritual arrangements typical of the music styles prevalent during Dr. King's life. Although Leach has not chosen specific songs in advance, repertoire that his ensembles have performed include "Freedom Come," "Old Time Religion," "St. Louis Blues," "Glory, Glory Hallelujah!" and many other scared and secular works. Leach is director of The University Choir and the choral group Essence of Joy, an ensemble of Penn State students who specialize in gospel and African-American music. .

"Community Choir to Perform at Juniata's Martin Luther King Convocation" Juniata College Campus News. January 7, 2002.

Sonia Sanchez "A Poet's Songs of Freedom"

Rev. C. T. Vivian "Martin King, New Millennium Man"

"Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation" The Juniatian Vol 86, No. 6. February 11, 2000. Pg. 1

Loretta Ross "From Civil Rights to Human Rights"

"Essecence of Joy" performed by the Penn State University Gospel Choir directed by Anthony Leach "From Civil Rights to Human Rights"

Dr. Anthony Leach and the Persuasions "The Role of Music in the Civil Rights Movement and the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King."

Kuumba Players "The Meeting."

"Semester Begins With Spring Convocation " The Juniatian Vol 78, No. 7. January 28, 1997. Pg. 1

Randall Robinson "Make It Right"

"Randall Robinson Calls for Students to Make It RIght." The Juniatian Vol 77, No. 5. February 2, 1996. Pg. 1

James Melvin Washington "Martin Luther King Jr.: A Spirtual Crisis in America"

The Honorable Justice M. Johnson of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania

Barbara Bechnel "The Real Story About the Urban Peace Movement."

"Martin Luther King Jr. Honored on Campus " The Juniatian Vol 44, No. 11. January 28, 1993. Pg. 1

David Satterlee, Campus Minister, "A Personal History."

"A Celebration in Recognition of Martin Luther King Jr." The Juniatian Vol 43, No. 11. January 17, 1992. Pg. 1