Contact: Rick Peterson, Manager of News Services, 920/832-6590
For Immediate Release
January 6, 2003

Noted Poet, Social Commentator Highlights Martin Luther King Celebration at LU

APPLETON, WIS. -- Acclaimed poet, essayist and activist Nikki Giovanni will be the keynote speaker Sunday, Jan. 12 at the 12th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in the Lawrence University Memorial Chapel.

The event, which commemorates Dr. King's vision of a prejudice-free society, begins at 6:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Lawrence is one of several area co-sponsors of the event, which is conducted by the Fox Valley organization Toward Community: Unity in Diversity. The theme for this year's program is "Understanding: Expressions of Respect."

"We are excited to share with the Fox Cities community this opportunity for reflection and understanding of respect, diversity and awareness," said Rod Bradley, Lawrence's assistant dean of students for multicultural affairs. "We hope the community continues to come together through this and other events to dispel the ever-existing social injustices and promote multicultural community development."

One of America's most celebrated poets, Giovanni is perhaps best known for her focus on "the individual" and the power one has to make a difference in oneself, and ultimately, in the lives of others. Hailed as one of America's "national treasures" by novelist Gloria Naylor ("The Women of Brewster Place"), Giovanni has written more than 14 volumes of poetry during a career spanning nearly 35 years. Her two most recent collections, "Love Poems" and "Blues: For All the Changes" were recognized with the NAACP Image Award in 1998 and 2000, respectively.

Giovanni also has written numerous books and three collections of essays. Her 1994 book "Racism 101" features more than two dozen personal and political essays on race, examining aspects of American life ranging from higher education to Spike Lee, "Star Trek" to John F. Kennedy.

The long list of awards Giovanni has received during her career include 19 honorary doctorates, the Langston Hughes Medal for Outstanding Poetry, "Woman of the Year" accolades from Mademoiselle, Ladies' Home Journal and Essence magazines and Governors' Awards in the Arts from both Tennessee and Virginia. Since 1987, she has taught writing and literature at Virginia Tech, where she is a University Distinguished Professor.

In addition to Giovanni's address during the King celebration, Toward Community will award its annual Unity in Diversity Award to an area individual who has worked to bring different people in the community together. The program also will feature invocations from Muslim, Jewish and Christian perspectives, music by the Appleton North High School Choir and the reading of four winning essays reflecting on King's dream written by area youth. A reception for all in attendance follows the program.