UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Coinciding with the close of Black History Month, the Penn State School of International Affairs Black Student Association (SIABSA) is hosting a Civil Rights Forum to boost awareness, dialogue and advocacy around civil rights issues. This free, public event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, in the Lewis Katz Building's Greg Sutliff Auditorium at University Park.
The forum will feature two distinguished keynote speakers:
- Isaac Newton Farris Jr., the nephew of Martin Luther King Jr. and senior fellow of the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Babs Babatunde Onabanjo, president of the A.D. King Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes youth empowerment and nonviolent social change.
This event is free and open to the public; registration is required by Feb. 21. Register here.
The forum aims to stimulate fresh conversations around social justice, equality and civil rights, and inspire the next generation of global leaders. The keynote speakers will discuss contemporary challenges and opportunities for achieving justice in the 21st century; the historical foundations that led to current civil rights endeavors; the importance of understanding past movements, and strategies for future upholding. The conversation will also portray several stakeholders' roles in driving meaningful change and fostering a more equitable society, including academic institutions and local leadership.
In addition to the keynotes, the event will include a panel discussion and an exhibition showcasing civil rights history and achievements. Coffee and snacks will be provided throughout the day, and a catered lunch will be served.
The Civil Rights Forum is an initiative of SIABSA, a student organization that aims to provide a forum for Black students at the School of International Affairs (SIA) to highlight the contributions that African Americans have made to the field of international affairs, and to increase diversity and inclusion at SIA.
The forum is co-sponsored by several Penn State units, including the African Studies Department; Black Law Students Association; College of Education; College of the Liberal Arts; Graduate and Professional Student Association; Penn State Global; Penn State Student Affairs; and the School of International Affairs. External co-sponsors include the A.D. King Foundation and Black Empire Business Group.
For more details, including a full agenda, visit the forum website.