On Nov. 4, students organized 75 Days 'til MLK, unveiling the theme for Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration events at Penn State as “Keep Moving Forward." Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn Staters are set to Keep Moving Forward as the lead-up begins to Martin Luther King Day 2016.
On Nov. 4, students organized 75 Days 'til MLK, a celebration of free food, giveaways and student performances, and unveiled the theme for MLK commemoration events at Penn State as “Keep Moving Forward."
Students also announced Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, as the speaker for the Jan. 18, 2016, evening celebration.
The Urban Dance Troupe performed during the 75 days 'til MLK event hosted by the Martin Luther King Day Commemoration Committee through the Office of Student Activities on Nov. 4 at the HUB. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons
Martin was fatally shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer in 2012. His mother has become a speaker against violence towards children and an advocate for building better, safer communities for all. Fulton speaks at colleges as well as to legal professionals, community and family organizations, and others working in social justice. A Miami native, Fulton graduated from Florida Memorial University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in English, and worked for the Miami-Dade County Housing Development Agency for more than 25 years.
Fulton will speak at 6 p.m. Jan. 18, in Schwab Auditorium on the University Park campus. Past speakers have included Angela Davis, Ruby Bridges and Michael Eric Dyson.
Other upcoming events on the University Park campus include:
-- Forum on Black Affairs' annual MLK banquet on Jan. 15 at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.
-- MLK Day of Service, which will mobilize volunteers to celebrate King’s legacy with projects throughout the community on Jan. 18.
-- Leaders of Social Justice Poster Series, featuring student research, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 20 in the Hetzel Union Building (HUB).
-- Speak for Peace, a reception and oratorical contest from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 21 in Heritage Hall, HUB.
For updates on MLK events at Penn State, follow the hashtag #TakeTheNextStep and visit http://mlk.psu.edu/.