41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon Will Feature the Rev. Dr. William Barber II and Embraces Theme: “We Are Called to be a Movement”
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub (the Hub) will celebrate the legacy of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 11 a.m. in the Meridian Ballroom of the Morris University Center. SIUE has honored the dream of Dr. King with an annual luncheon for 41 years. This year’s theme evokes the revered civil rights leader’s call to action with “We Are Called to be a Movement” as the selected theme.
Inspired by Dr. King’s 1968 Poor People’s Campaign, which went unfinished until its revival and supplemental book title from the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, the Hub drew inspiration for the theme and has arranged Barber to be the featured speaker for the luncheon.
Barber holds numerous titles within ministry and social activism; president and senior lecturer of Repairers of the Breach, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, bishop with the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), professor in public theology and public policy at Yale Divinity School. The Poor People’s Campaign was originally part of the second phase of the civil rights movement led by Dr. King just before his assassination. Today, it continues Dr. King’s work in fighting systemic racism and demanding equity for poor communities in the United States.
Jessica Harris, PhD, vice chancellor for Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is inspired by the addition of the Rev. Barber as a speaker.
"SIUE’s Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration offers us a moment to reflect on the legacy of Dr. King, and its meaning for both our present and future,” Harris said. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Rev. William Barber II as the keynote speaker for this year's celebration and look forward to how his words will inspire us to be ever more vigorous in our pursuit of actions that will get us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community; a community of justice and peace; a community built on a foundation of redemption, reconciliation, and agape love.”
The Dr. King Celebration Luncheon goes beyond a meal and a keynote address from Barber, as it also offers an award reception in the name of Dr. King in the SIUE campus community and highlights support for local youth in Illinois. The awards include an SIUE Student Scholarship, Humanitarian Awards and Youth awards. Award submissions were categorized by essays, poetry and visual arts from local middle school and high school students.
The annual event is highly anticipated, and tickets are available for purchase until Wednesday, Jan. 10. Tickets are $50 each and a reserved table of eight is $350. Sales from the luncheon help support the scholarship endowment. Doors open to the Meridian Ballroom at 10:30 a.m. January 17. Sponsorship opportunities are also still available. For more information, visit the Hub’s website or contact Inclusion@siue.edu.
