EMU to celebrate MLK with numerous events

Eastern Michigan University will honor Martin Luther King, Jr. with a nearly weeklong celebration of events that includes discussions, performances, a prominent keynote speaker and a memorial march. This year's theme is "Our Revolution...Our Responsibility."

Events begin Wednesday, Jan. 14, and are scheduled through the actual MLK Day celebration Monday, Jan. 19, highlighted by the President's Luncheon, which will feature keynote speaker Ed Gordon, an Emmy-winning television broadcaster and founder of Daddy's Promise.

Gordon

Gordon will present a discussion (title unavailable at press time) about Monday, Jan. 19, 10-11:30 a.m., in the Student Center Auditorium.

Gordon is currently the host of the nationally syndicated TV show, "Our World With Black Enterprise," and president of the Gordon Media Group, a multi-service production company. He also created Daddy's promise, an initiative that encourages fathers to become deeply involved in the lives of their daughters. The project was born after he wrote a story for Essence magazine (December 2006) in which he described the close relationship he shares with his daughter, Taylor.

The daylong celebration begins with a breakfast from 7:45-9:30 a.m., followed by Gordon's keynote, the President's Luncheon and academic breakout sessions through 3:50 p.m. The late afternoon and early evening includes performances by the CloseUP Theatre Troupe, an Alpha march to the MLK bust near Welch Hall and an afterglow event.

Tickets for the President's Luncheon are $19 for students and $29 for general admission, and maybe purchased at the Convocation Center, Student Center and Quirk Box Office. Attendees will need to specify a meat or vegetarian option.

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