The University of Michigan will host the 33rd annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Symposium on Monday, January 21, 2019 beginning at 10 a.m. at Hill Auditorium.
This year’s theme, “Unravel,” will feature keynote speakers Tim Wise, author and educator, and Julia Putnam, principal of the James and Grace Lee Boggs School. Wise is known for his work surrounding anti-racism literature and Putnam is known for her work in community-building as a founding member of the James and Grace Lee Boggs School.
Since 1986, the University of Michigan has hosted its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Symposium, one of the largest celebrations by colleges and universities in the nation. The theme is composed by faculty, staff and students across campus based on its relevance to current social justice issues and the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr.
The theme, “Unravel,” represents the value and at times, frightening nature of unmasking and addressing institutional -isms. To unravel is to deeply examine our values, and the character of our actions, in order to tease out the parts of our identity that leads to marginalizing and targeting others.
The Keynote lecture is coordinated by the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives under the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and co-sponsored by the Stephen M. Ross School of Business with support from the William K. McInally Memorial Lecture Fund.
The U-M MLK symposium is open to the University community and general public. For those who are unable to attend in person, they are encouraged to watch the event online or as part of a group watch party by visiting mlksymposium.umich.edu.