UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The student-led, 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee will present the Evening Celebration for the 35th annual MLK Jr. Commemoration Week at University Park. The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, in Schwab Auditorium, and will feature speakers Symone D. Sanders and Bakari Sellers.
Sanders, a communications consultant and CNN political commentator, is an advocate for women. She served in spring 2018 as a resident fellow at the Institute of Politics in Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government; and rose to prominence during her tenure as the national press secretary for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. She is principal of executive-search firm 360 Group, LLC, and currently serves as senior adviser for Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign.
Sellers, a CNN political commentator, received his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College and his law degree from the University of South Carolina. Sellers champions progressive policies to help address issues ranging from education and poverty to preventing domestic violence and childhood obesity.
“As prominent voices in the political sphere, Sanders and Sellers are great truthtellers who recognize and amplify the interests of marginalized communities,” said Nyla Holland, executive director of the 2019-20 MLK Jr. Student Commemoration Committee. “They speak to the importance of the 2020 election and the crucial locale of our democracy. We are excited to engage with Symone and Bakari, as they have continuously inspired young people to get involved politically and civically.”
This free event is funded by the student-initiated fee. Priority entrance, on a first-come, first-served basis, will be given to students with a valid Penn State University Park photo ID. Community members are welcome to attend and will be seated based on availability.