KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 12, 2017

Activist and artist David Banner will deliver keynote at Jan. 15 ceremony

Kennesaw State University will feature a week of activities to commemorate the national Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in honor of the slain civil rights leader, beginning with a keynote address by activist and artist David Banner on Sunday, Jan. 15.  

What, When and Where:

The University’s annual M.L. King celebration will include events throughout the week. The public is invited to attend and participate. The events and schedule include:

·       Annual M.L. King Jr. Ceremony will feature community activist and hip-hop performing artist David Banner, who will deliver a keynote address about how to inspire a community to action. This event is co-sponsored by the KSU African-American Student Alliance. Doors open at 5 p.m., and admission is open. Sunday, Jan. 15, 6-8 p.m. at the Bailey Performance Center.

·       Six Voices in 60 Minutes: Celebrating Dr. King will feature six Kennesaw State community members, including President Sam Olens, who will offer 10-minute reflections on a quote, speech or action by Martin Luther King Jr. Refreshments will be served. RSVP here. Tuesday, Jan. 17, Noon to 1:30 p.m. at the University Room in the KSU Student Center.

·       M.L.K. Week Film: “Selma” depicting the tumultuous three-month period in 1965 when King led a campaign to secure equal voting rights will be shown Tuesday, Jan 17, 5 to 8 p.m. on the Marietta Campus in Ballroom A&B and Wednesday, Jan. 18, 5 to 8 p.m. on the Kennesaw Campus in the University Room of the KSU Student Center.

·       Courageous Conversations: Keeping Dr. King’s Dream Alive with Director of Student Engagement Matthew Robison, who will facilitate an open discussion of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and its relevance today. Bring your own lunch at Kennesaw Campus session. Thursday, Jan 19, noon to 1:30 p.m. on the Kennesaw Campus at the Student Center in University Room C and Thursday, Jan. 19, 6 to 8 p.m. on the Marietta Campus at the Student Affairs Suite.

In addition, Kennesaw State students will perform a volunteer service project with the Hands On Atlanta Discovery Program for K-5th grade students at Belmont Hill Elementary school on Saturday, Jan. 14. 

Who:

David Banner, the M.L. King Jr. ceremony keynote speaker, David Banner is a Grammy Award-winning music producer, recording artist, philanthropist, activist and actor who has appeared in films such as Lee Daniels’ “The Butler” and in Tim Story’s “Ride Along.” He also is the host of Aspire TVs current ABFF Independent Film Series. Banner is founder of A Banner Vision, a multimedia company that specializes in providing music for commercials, video games and film, including for Pepsi, Gatorade, Paramount Pictures, Marvel, Capcom and Mercedes Benz. He has provided perspective on social justice on CNN and BET as well as on numerous blogs and magazines.

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.