The University of Houston will present a program of remembrance and reflection on the life and philosophies of Martin Luther King Jr. from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Jan. 24 at the A.D. Bruce Religion Center.

“Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.” is a program of music, reflection and reception that will focus on special memories and celebrations of the life and accomplishments of King, the nationally and internationally acclaimed civil and human rights activist and Nobel Peace Laureate.

Music for the occasion will be presented by the UH Good News Gospel Choir. A reception will be held in the same location immediately following the spoken program. All students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to attend and participate.

“This will not be a political discussion or a dialogue on civil rights,” said James E. Anderson, executive associate to the chancellor and president. “It will be a celebration and a remembrance of a special person who was truly a world leader and who represented the kind of ideals and visions for society that we can all aspire to achieve.”

Among those offering reflections will be William Lawson, UH Distinguished Community Scholar in Residence, pastor emeritus of the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and director of the Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity – who knew King personally; Ira Colby, dean of the Graduate School of Social Work; James Conyers, director of African American Studies; and the Rev. Robert M. Gilmore, alumnus and head of the Spirituality Thread in the Third Ward Community Cloth (a group that works together on ideas to improve the Third Ward).

The event is Sponsored by the African American Studies Program, UH Council of Ethnic Organizations, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Black Leadership Network, Asian American Studies Program, Center for Mexican American Studies and Third Ward Community Cloth.

Staff reports