Department of Student Diversity and Inclusion Hosts MLK Celebration of Diversity

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University’s Department of Student Diversity and Inclusion will host the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration of Diversity at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 18, in the Student Union Ballroom. The presentation is free of charge and open to all faculty, staff, and students with a valid 1Card.  
 
The presentation will feature Dr. Steve Perry as the speaker. Perry serves as an education contributor to CNN and MSNBC, a columnist for Essence magazine, a best-selling author, and the founder of Capitol Preparatory Magnet School. His speaking topics include advocating personal and civic responsibility and the importance of engaging in social issues.
 
“We wanted to host this event to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to celebrate the rich diversity of our students as both a defining characteristic and an essential source of our institutional strength,” said Dr. Gerald Williams, interim director of the Department of Student Diversity and Inclusion.  
 
King is remembered as a leader of civil rights activism. His teachings of nonviolence played a pivotal role in the ending of legal segregation of African-American citizens.
 
The MLK Celebration of Diversity will also feature a performance from the XChange Ministries ensemble. XChange Ministries is an on-campus Christian organization.
 
“It is my hope that the audience walks away with a better appreciation for the diversity that we have here on our campus as well as our responsibility as citizens to seek positive change in the communities in which we live,” said Williams.
 
The Department of Student Diversity and Inclusion is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive campus environment for all students.
 
Please contact Dr. Gerald Williams at gewilliams@valdosta.edu to learn more.
 
On the Web:
 
http://www.valdosta.edu/student/diversity/
 
http://www.drsteveperry.org/