On January 15th, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, North Park University’s Black Student Union Group will present an inspirational presentation commemorating Dr. King’s fight for justice and peace.
The celebration features the following guests:
- Corey Barksdale, gospel recording artist
- Sherida Morrison, keynote speaker
- Dr. Daniel White Hodge, MLK Jr. Leadership Award recipient
MLK Jr.’s own words will serve as the inspiration for the event: “The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace, and brotherhood.”
Chicago’s leaders work to restore justice
North Park University is committed to supporting Chicago’s diversity and embracing leaders who have demonstrated restorative justice. Like King, Morrison and Hodge each believe in nonviolent methods of pursuing social justice.
Keynote speaker Sherida Morrison is the founder of Demoiselle2Femme, a female empowerment group. Through the non-profit, Morrison has developed “a community-based model encouraging the avoidance of at-risk behaviors as a strategy for success while empowering girls with the hope of accomplishing their educational and professional goals through self-discipline, hard work, commitment and service to their community.”
North Park’s Hodge, assistant professor of intercultural communication, is a recognized urban youth culture expert and cultural literacy scholar. He will also honor the legacy and racial justice work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. His presentation is titled “No Church in the Wild: Christianity, White Supremacy, Black Liberation and Hip Hop.”
In addition to MLK day, North Park’s Office of Diversity Director Jacqueline Horbrook works continuously with the community, faculty, staff, and students to “be disciplined in our demeanor in not being divisive, to continue to do better, and strive for peace at the forefront—with peace being what MLK fought for.”
The service will be held at 10 a.m. in Anderson Chapel and the celebration will be live-streamed at www.northpark.edu.