Kalamazoo Times

Bakari Sellers, a political commentator and civil rights activist, is set to speak at Western Michigan University (WMU) on January 20 as part of the university's Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations. His speech will focus on "The Power of Nonviolence: Lasting Change through Peace" and will take place at 6 p.m. in Miller Auditorium.

Sellers' appearance is part of a series of events organized by WMU, including a teach-in from noon to 3:30 p.m. in the Student Center ballroom. These events are open to the public without any admission fee or ticket requirement.

The event is supported by several university departments, including the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations. Dr. Candy McCorkle-Boughton, vice president for diversity and inclusion at WMU, emphasized the importance of nonviolence in her statement: “We are living in a time when racial, gender, cultural and many other freedoms are threatened... we must use intellectual strategy and policy.”

Sellers has built a career advocating for social justice through various platforms such as his podcast "The Bakari Sellers Podcast." He became South Carolina's youngest legislator at age 22 and continues to be active in discussions around diversity and equity.

The day's activities will commence with a teach-in event designed to engage participants with social justice principles inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophies. The Lewis Walker Institute annually hosts this event to explore King's "Life Blueprint" speech as a means to address injustice.

A detailed schedule includes panel discussions featuring activists like Dr. Don Cooney and Dr. Dee Sherwood, as well as sessions focusing on music from the Civil Rights Movement led by Dr. Bianca Nightengale-Lee and Dr. Brianne Pitts.

The final session will involve student-led discussions moderated by Mariana Montserrat Bringas-Acevedo on current demands for inclusion within institutions.

For further details about WMU's news and events, visit their online platform.