Willie Barney, president and facilitator of Omaha's Empowerment Network, will deliver the keynote address for UNL's observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Week.
Barney will speak at 4 p.m. Jan. 20 during the Chancellor's Program in the auditorium of the Nebraska Union.
In his talk, "Beyond the Flames of Racial Discord: Working Together to Transform Communities," Barney will recall the protests and demonstrations of the 1960s, and explore what progress has been made and what work remains to be done. He will discuss what we can do to overcome racial gaps and geographic segregation, and how we can transform our communities and our nation.
The Empowerment Network is a collaboration of residents, elected officials, neighborhood groups, community organizations, philanthropists, educational institutions, faith communities, governmental agencies and businesses working together to transform Omaha into a great city in every ZIP code. For more information, go to http://empoweromaha.com.
Also during the Jan. 20 program, Chancellor Harvey Perlman will present the 2015 "Fulfilling the Dream" awards, which celebrate and recognize contemporary leaders who are role models on and off campus. The UNL campus award will go to Gene and Linda Crump of Lincoln. Gene is a retired associate general counsel for the University of Nebraska. Linda is the retired director of Equity, Access and Diversity Programs at UNL. The off-campus award will go to the Empowerment Network.
Following is a schedule of on-campus activities during UNL's observance of MLK Week, honoring the life of the late civil rights leader. All events are free and open to the public except the Afrikan People's Union MLK Banquet.
Jan. 19, 6 p.m. — Afrikan People's Union MLK Banquet, Nebraska Union. Keynote speaker: Albert Maxey. Tickets are $15 for students and $20 for all others. They are available at the door or by contacting Maura Gray at 913-645-7330 or gray.mauram@gmail.com.
Jan. 20, 4 p.m. — Chancellor's Program, Nebraska Union Auditorium.
Jan. 20, 6 p.m. — Dish it Up! Late Night. "A Dialogue on Race: Beyond Black and White," Nebraska Union.
Jan. 21, 5 p.m. — Film screening and review of "Eyes on the Prize: Bridge to Freedom," Sheldon Museum of Art. The screening will be followed by a discussion of the struggle for voting rights.
Jan. 22, 7:30 p.m. — "Voices Unleashed," Nebraska Union Crib. Participants can showcase their creativity during an open-mic MLK tribute night sponsored by the Afrikan People's Union.
— Tom Simons, University Communications