Television personality and social activist Jeff Johnson
will serve as the keynote speaker for Eastern Michigan
University's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
Jan. 21.
 |
KEEPING KING RELEVANT: Jeff
Johnson, producer
and host of
the BET program, "The Cousin
Jeff Chronicles,"
is this year's
speaker for EMU's MLK Day
Celebration
Jan. 21. |
Johnson, well known as BET's "Cousin Jeff," is an advocate
for social change and is recognized for articulating the
views of young people and drawing voters to the polls.
His role as a political activist includes serving as the
national youth director for the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and as vice president
of Russell Simmons' Hip-Hop Summit Action Network.
Johnson also produced and hosted BET's mini-documentary
series, "The Cousin Jeff Chronicles," a television show
focusing on issues relevant to young people in urban America.
"Some youths see the Civil Rights movement as antiquated
and find it difficult to connect with it and those associated
with it," said EMU senior Victor Walker. "Jeff Johnson
helps us engage in meaningful, thought-provoking and substantive
discussion in a way that is consistent with history and
in a manner young people will be open to."
Johnson, CEO of lifestyle consulting firm Truth Is Power,
based in Washington D.C., will present"Unclaimed Legacy:
Who Will Lead the Next Social Movement?" a discussion on
the importance of finding new leaders to continue the legacy
of social leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr.
The event begins with breakfast at 8:30 a.m., followed
by Johnson's keynote speech at 10 a.m. in the Student Center
Auditorium. The President's Luncheon takes place at 11:45
a.m. in the Student Center Grand Ballroom. Johnson will
make brief remarks at the luncheon.
CloseUp Theatre Troupe will present "Deferred Dreams,
Loans and Losses," a series of original pieces addressing
racial inequality, at 1:30 p.m.
Breakout sessions presented by staff, students and faculty
will take place 2-3:50 p.m. Sessions include "A
Different Conversation on Hip Hop," "African Americans" and"Women
and the Civil Rights Movement."
A march and candlelight vigil begins at 4 p.m. at the
Student Center, and will process to a bust of Martin Luther
King, Jr., near Welch Hall. An afterglow is set
for 5 p.m. in room 300 of the Student Center.
"The students on the planning committee were instrumental
in selecting Mr. Johnson," said Kay Woodiel, director of
diversity and community involvement. "He motivates his
audience by challenging them to lead the next social movement."
Tickets are $19 for students and $29 for general admission
and may be purchased at the Ticket Office. For information,
visit www.cot.emich.edu/mlk.
