Author of "The Butler" —Wil Haygood, to be MLK Speaker
For more than 25 years, Ƭapp has convened the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance Committee. This Committee is charged with creating a series of events that invigorate the spirit and inspire all to continue on with the important work reflected in the words, writings, and actions of Dr. King. This year’s Committee has been meeting regularly since the summer and is pleased that their hard work has paid off with some very exciting developments for this year’s Convocation speaker, theme, and schedule.
Wil Haygood has accepted the University’s invitation to be our MLK Convocation speaker. Haygood has gotten much acclaim recently for his part in bringing Lee Daniels’ The Butler to movie screens everywhere. Mr. Haygood is a Washington Post writer and author of several books, including “Two on the River” and “King of Cats: The Life and Times of Adam Clayton Powell Jr.”
It was Haygood’s story - written during President Obama’s first campaign - about White House butler Eugene Allen that formed the basis for the very popular movie, starring Forest Whitaker. Mr. Allen served eight presidents over 34 years and was truly “a witness to history.”
In keeping with that theme, the focus of this year’s MLK Observance will be “Witness to History: Everyday Revolutions & the Struggle for Justice.”
Mark your calendars! Following is a brief preview of some of the exciting events planned, including an all-new format for the Convocation itself, which will take place on Thursday evening, January 30. More details will be announced as we get closer to the new year.
Friday, January 17 and/or January 24, 2014
- Movie Screening: Lee Daniels’ The Butler
Tuesday, January 28
- Memorial March through Campus
Wednesday, January 29
- Day of Service
Thursday, January 30
- Convocation Reception
- Pre-Convocation performance with the Ƭapp Glee Club
- MLK Convocation featuring Wil Haygood,
and the Vision Awards
Connecticut Post
Essay Contest presentations
- Interviews with Student & University Media
Friday, January 31
- Youth Leadership Academy
- Poetry for Peace
See the movie trailer:
