Justice & Opportunity in the 21st Century: Power, Legalities & Realities
Keynote Speaker: Mary Frances Berry, former Chairperson of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission
The Madison/Dane County King Coalition is pleased to announce that the 32nd Annual City of Madison & Dane County observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday will feature author, educator, and historian Dr. Mary Frances Berry as the keynote speaker. She is known for challenging and inspiring people to stand up, stand tall and to never give up the fight. She served over the course of four Presidential administrations as chairperson of the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Despite spending a portion of her childhood in a orphanage and attending segregated schools in Nashville, TN, she went on to She is the first woman of any race to head a major research university. Dr. Berry was instrumental in raising global awareness and helping to end over 40 years of apartheid. Her most recent book, Power in Words: The Stories behind Barack Obama’s Speeches, from the State House to the White House, offers insight and historical context of President Obama’s most memorable speeches.
This year’s observance continues the popular tradition of kicking-off with a “Freedom Songs Sing-in” from 5:00 to 5:30 pm in the Rotunda of the Overture Center. The City-County Observance will then take place beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Overture Center’s Capitol Theater. The Observance will also feature presentation of the Madison-Dane County Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award by Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and Deputy Mayor of Madison Gloria Reyes. Rev. Carmen Porco will serve as M.C.
This event is co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Madison and the capstone of a series of events hosted by the King Coalition to commemorate the King Holiday.
The King Coalition was established in the fall of 1985 as a community group to plan the official City of Madison and Dane County observances of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. The Coalition brings people from all walks of life together in the spirit of true brotherhood and sisterhood to commemorate the life and accomplishments of this renowned leader of the civil rights movement. King Coalition events encourage the people of Dane County to reaffirm their commitment to building a just community out of our racial, religious and economic diversity.