Speakers and Local Events for 2008 MLK Celebration

PULLMAN, Wash– Judy Richardson, educational director for the award-wining documentary series “Eyes on the Prize,” and key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, will be the keynote speaker during the 2008 Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration.

Her presentation is entitled “Will the Circle be Unbroken: Lessons of the Civil Rights Movement” and will take place at 3 p.m. Jan. 19 in the Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum. The event is free and open to the public.

Drawing on her own life and her experiences in making “Eyes on the Prize” she will share the stories of the individuals who were on the front lines and who witnessed and survived to tell about the crusade’s tragedies and victories. Connecting these events with the post-Civil Rights decades of the 1970s and 1980s, she will explain the relevance of these years to the current reality of African-Americans.

Richardson, who has had a long-time involvement with social justice issues, participated in the creation of the 14-part PBS series “Eyes on the Prize.” The documentary focuses on the events, issues, triumphs and tragedies of ordinary people as they tested their power to affect change in America during a period termed “the Second American Revolution.”

The documentary has won an Academy Award nomination, six Emmys, and many other awards and accolades. Richardson served as content advisor and researcher for the first series and series associate producer for the second. She was also co-producer of “Malcolm X: Make It Plain,” which won both an Emmy and a Peabody award.

She lectures nationally, and conducts professional development workshops for teachers, all focused on the Civil Rights Movement and its relevance to the issues we face today.

For more information about Richardson, visit, https://www.thelavinagency.com/college/judyrichardson.html.

Each year, Washington State University, the City of Pullman, University of Idaho and the City of Moscow collaborate and organize community celebrations in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The 2008 celebration will offer a wide range of programs and activities that educate, serve, celebrate and commemorate the distinguished contributions of Dr. King. To view the most recent list of events, visit https://mlk.wsu.edu/.The following events are scheduled:

– YWCA Civil Rights Mural Project. This first-time event is part of the ongoing effort to eliminate racism, empower women, celebrate diversity and ensure equality. The community art project will be made up of drawings and paintings from students in the Pullman school district. Selected winners will have their art displayed in public space throughout Pullman.

– “The Right to Dream: Share the Struggle!” Living Voices will present their interactive presentation at 7 p.m. Jan 16 in the Hartung Theater in the University of Idaho campus. The show is free and open to the public. 

– WSU Annual Distinguished Service Awards at 3 p.m. Jan 19 at Beasley Coliseum. The awards recognize individuals and organizations who exemplify the ideals of Dr. King by making meaningful contributions to their communities through leadership, service and education. The awards will be given in four categories including “Faculty Diversity Award,”  “Staff Person,” “Student,” and “Community Member or Community Organization.” For more information and nomination forms, visit www.mlk.wsu.edu.

– Moscow Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Community Breakfast, at 9 a.m. Jan 19 in Moscow Jr. High School, D. St. near Mt. View. The guest speaker for the event is Maria Gonzales Mabbut. Gonzalez Mabbut, who did migrant and seasonal farm work with her family from age three until she went to college, has worked with the Migrant Farm Workers Law Unit of Idaho Legal Aid Services and as Idaho’s Farm Worker Advocate for the State of Idaho’s Department of Employment (now Commerce and Labor). She continues to work to further important political issues on behalf of farm workers.

Tickets are $8 for the general public and $4 students at Bookpeople or contact jmuneta@uidaho.edu.

– “Freedom School.” An educational series of seminars and activities for people all ages featuring the Civil Rights Movement. It will take place starting at 9 a.m. and throughout the day on Jan. 21 at various rooms in the Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE) Building.

 – SLO Food Drive. The food drive is looking for donations that apply the principles of the organization and consider nutrition, environmental impact, and special dietary needs. They will collect at Pullman Safeway and Dissmore’s from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 21.