Alveda C. King, niece of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., will serve as the kick-off speaker for Black History Month on the University of Arkansas campus at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, in the Verizon Ballroom in the Arkansas Union. Her address, “What Advocating for Civil Rights Looks Like Today,” will give attendees the historical context of the Civil Rights Movement and inform the audience about what others are doing today in continuing the fight.

Alveda King is a noted civil rights activist, minister, lecturer, former college professor, author, actress, and former Georgia state legislator.  

“Black History Month is for celebrating milestones of the past, but those legacies are best celebrated by their action in the present,” said Ellie Keffler, vice president of the Associated Student Government. “Dr. King will help the University of Arkansas elevate the discourse of Black History Month by illustrating how we can participate.”

ASG is partnering with the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education as well as the Black Alumni Society to bring King to the University of Arkansas community.

“The Black Alumni Society is excited to be a part of this phenomenal Black History Month kickoff event,” said Angela Mosley Monts, director of Outreach and Engagement for the Arkansas Alumni Association and the Black Alumni Society.  “We feel that black history should be celebrated every month, and Dr. King’s speech will certainly put this into perspective. Civil Rights is not a forgotten cause, and we must all remember every day, it is our responsibility to respect each other and want equality for everyone regardless of our differences. We invite members and friends of the Black Alumni Society and the Northwest Arkansas community to participate and be a part of this program.”

As an ambassador for the King family’s legacy and continuing advocacy, King often appears on various media outlets. She is a regular contributor for the News Max “Insiders” column and has appeared on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and other outlets. She has traveled to Africa, Israel, Europe, and other locations in order to address audiences on topics such as civil rights, non-violent conflict resolution, religion, women’s rights, and social justice.

“We are honored to commence our celebration of Black History Month with Dr. King’s visit,” said John Jones, director of the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education. “I believe that her address will epitomize what we seek to accomplish throughout the month of February which is honoring and understanding our history while endeavoring to use the lessons learned and inspiration gained to confront the pressing issues of our time.”

This event is free to current University of Arkansas students who pay the student activities fee. Students must show ID for entrance. Admission for general public and non-fee-paying students is free and contingent upon seating availability and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis after fee-paying students are admitted.

This event is sponsored by the Associated Student Government through the office of student activities. For questions about the event, please contact Associated Student Government at 479-575-5205. For special accommodations due to disability, please contact the office of student activities, osa@uark.edu or call 479-575-5255.