MLK Program Wins Outstanding Unit Award for Equity and Diversity
CLA congratulates the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program on their recent Outstanding Unit Award.
Alex Hines, Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Program, wrote about the program’s award:
“On November 14, 2024, The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. Academic and Advising Program received the Outstanding Unit Award for Equity and Diversity, which honors exemplary campuses, colleges, departments, or units demonstrating leadership in equity and diversity work. The award highlights units working to bring transformational and sustainable change to the University of Minnesota. Receiving the Award are: Evan L. Johnson, Associate Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (MLK) and Gennise Wilson, Executive Office & Administrative Specialist (MLK).
“The OUA Award recognized the newly created MLK 3000: Civil Rights Research and Social Justice Experience Immersion which offers 3 credits for elective credit. The theme of the Spring 2024 course was “Where Civil Rights History Becomes a Reality: Walking in the Footsteps of Giants,” where the immersion experience enabled student scholars and staff to deepen their understanding of the history of racism, civil rights and justice movements, and the limitations of knowledge given about historical figures.
“The fifteen students in the course and staff members that attended the immersive experience, investigated and interrogated truths from the Black Freedom (aka Civil Rights) Movement as they listened to stories from past and present-day civil rights leaders while visiting historical sites in Memphis, Tennessee; Selma, Birmingham, and Montgomery, Alabama; and Jackson and Philadelphia, Mississippi.
MKL 3000 Immersion Experience
Student participants share articles and videos documenting their time in and leading up to their travels.
Hines extends thanks to individuals and programs that made this possible:
“This immersive experience and all the work that went into it would not have come to fruition without our collaborating partners: CLA's Dean's Office, CLA-Undergraduate Associate Dean's Office and Communications Strategy, Recruitment, and Scholarships Department; CLA-MLK Program; (Big Shout Out to Chong and Gennise for the great logistical work, and Evan Johnson for your facilitating daily reflections with the scholars); CLA Writing Studies (Professor Ezra Hyland, thank you for your knowledge and wisdom, and leading the course); Hubbard School of Journalism; CLA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office; CLA's Institutional Advancement Office; and our Community Members Rev. Dr. Nekima LevyPounds and Dr. Marcellus Davis.
“Last but definitely not least, MLK 3000 Scholars, you were DYNAMIC!! Your showcase presentation was one of the best that I have seen in 34 years of being in higher education. You all ROCKED IT! And to my Better Half and Queen, Maria McLemore, thank you for all your support and putting up with the long hours that I dedicate to my craft, weekly, monthly and yearly, and even when I told you not to work or take it easy.”
This post was shared with permission from Alex Hines, Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Program.
More from the MLK Program
The College of Liberal Arts Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Program is accredited by the Association for Black Cultural Centers. ("UMN MLK program serves students for 55 years," UMN Daily)
Dr. John S. Wright (MA ‘71, English; PhD ‘77, American studies) was honored with the University's Outstanding Achievement Award. (John S. Wright Recognized for Outstanding Achievement)
University’s MLK Jr. Program and College of Liberal Arts sponsored Barbershop Event. ("Barbershop event gives UMN students new taste of culture," UMN Daily)
