ECU event celebrates life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

East Carolina University will present Payton Head as the keynote speaker for the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. in Main Campus Student Center Ballroom.

A rising community leader, Payton Head will detail the adversities caused by race, gender and sexual orientation discrimination and share proven solutions to facilitate open dialogue and embrace marginalized communities.

As a queer black man, Head has experienced firsthand the impacts of an underlying racist culture. While president of the University of Missouri’s Students’ Association, he spearheaded conversations about systemic racism on campus, which sparked student protests that made national headlines and led to the resignation of the university’s president.

Head’s courage and leadership led him to help organize and present at the first White House Convening for Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Ed, and to partner with the National Campus Leadership Council and the Department of Education to co-author a guide for student leaders for addressing inclusion.

Drawing from the guide, now a benchmark on campuses nationwide, Head brings his leadership and communication strategies to schools across the country.

Head will speak candidly about his personal experiences, including the unique balance required of leaders who represent and advocate for individuals with different backgrounds and from diverse communities. With powerful examples to illustrate the importance of developing institutional cultures that are grounded in acceptance, he empowers students and campus administrators to fight hatred with radical love for others and for themselves.

The event is free and open to the public. Tickets may be picked up at the ECU Central Ticket Office in Mendenhall or at the door.

Sponsors include the Office of Equity and Diversity, Ledonia Wright Cultural Center, Student Activities Board, C.U.L.T.U.R.E. Programming Board and Student Government Association.

For additional information contact Shaun Simon, associate director of the Ledonia Wright Cultural Center,simons18@ecu.edu or 252-328-6495.

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ECU News Services
Howard House, 1001 E. Fifth Street
Greenville, NC 27858
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Phone: 252-328-6481
news.ecu.edu

Contact: Simon, Ledonia Wright Cultural Center, simons18@ecu.edu, 252-328-6495