The West Virginia University Center for Black Culture and Research will celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at the 26th annual MLK Day Unity Breakfast at 8 a.m. Jan. 16 in the Mountainlair Ballrooms.
This year’s keynote is Ernest Green from the historic Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Green is the eldest of the “Little Rock Nine,” a group of high school students who entered Central High School on the morning of September 25, 1957, following the Supreme Court’s ruling to desegregate schools in 1954.
Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus had summoned National Guardsmen to turn away the black pupils in direct defiance of the federal government, which had already approved a desegregation plan for the school. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, for the first time since Reconstruction, sent in federal troops to protect the rights of the beleaguered students, and the students ultimately prevailed.
In 1965, Green became involved in employment law at the Adolph Institute, a program to assist minority women in southern states find opportunities for professional careers.
Between 1977 and 1981, Green served as assistant secretary in the United States Labor Department under President Jimmy Carter. Since 1981, he has worked in the private sector for consulting firms. He served as partner for Green and Herman from 1981 to 1985, owned E. Green and Associates from 1985 to 1986, and has been with Lehman Brothers since 1985.
“The Center for Black Culture and Research is thrilled to have Ernest Green come to West Virginia University,” said Marjorie Fuller, director of the Center for Black Culture and Research. “His bravery has influenced students and educators everywhere.”
The MLK Scholarship Award and the MLK Achievement Award will be presented at the breakfast. The scholarship is awarded annually to a WVU student who demonstrates an active interest and meaningful involvement in areas of human rights, civil rights and social justice. The Achievement Award is given to the nominee from West Virginia who best exemplifies working to fulfil King’s commitment.
The event is free and open to the public. To RSVP call 304.293.7029.
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CONTACT: Penny Kennedy, Center for Black Culture and Research Penny.Kennedy@mail.wvu.edu; 304.293.7029
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