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- MLK Jr Celebration
MLK Jr. Celebration
The WCU community gathers annually to celebrate and commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Our focus during the week long celebration is the concept of community. Dr. King once said, 'We know that to bring justice, love, and friendship, we must build strong communities that foster these things.' We encourage you to consider these words and your role in building a strong community here at WCU and beyond.
The theme for the 2023 celebration is Building a Legacy of Leadership
2023 Keynote Speaker
Lisa Blackmon, Esq
aka LisaB TheLifechanger
Lisa Blackmon, Esq is a veteran business owner with more than twenty-five years of
experience as the managing attorney at Blackmon & Blackmon, LLC and founder of Lifechangers
International Inc, a premier leadership training, speaking, and coaching organization.
Having extensive expertise in real estate law and a love for teaching, she makes it
her mission to educate and encourage clients to invest in personal development and
to expand their wealth portfolios through real estate investing.
Her enthusiasm for offering a deeper level of service to her clients prompted her
to become obtain certifications as professional, business, and speaking coach. She
has since established herself as a sought-after transformational speaker, leadership
coach, author, mentor, and the force behind the I AM A Lifechanger movement.
Lisa's impact has inspired and motivated thousands to courageously pivot into purpose, own their self-worth, build personal wealth portfolios, and confidently bring their brilliance to the world. She serves as a leader in her local assembly, as a member of the Executive Board for Jimmie Hale Mission, charter member of Black Women Lawyers Association, charter member of NAWBO (Birmingham, AL) and as a member of the Volunteer Lawyers Program.
She believes that everyone has something to offer the world, but it will require Courage to become who they have been called to Be.
Schedule of Events
Monday, January 16, 2023
MLK Jr. Unity March
Host: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
10:00 am - Poster Making , UC Multipurpose Room, 232
11:00 am - Catafount
Community Service Opportunities
Host: Jackson County NAACP
8:00 - 11:00 am - Liberty Baptist Church* Register
12:00 - 3:00 pm - United Christian Ministries of Jackson County Food Pantry* Register
"Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?" ~ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
As we remember and recognize Dr. King's achievements and contributions to our nation's history, it's also important to remember that MLK Day should be a day ON instead of a day off! MLK Day of Service t-shirts and refreshments will be provided on a first come first served basis while supplies last.
*Location's physical addresses are provided on the registration pages
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Civil Rights: The Latinx Story
Host: Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Programs
10:00 - 11:30 am
UC Multipurpose Room
An exploration of Hispanic/Latino/a/Latinx/Latine civil rights timeline beginning in the early 20th century and highlighting key inter-sectional points with other communities. This is a Degree Plus event. RSVP on Engage
Catamount Career Conversations: Employer's Approaches to DEI
Host: Center for Career and Professional Development
4:00 - 5:00 pm
UC Multipurpose Room
Students will be able to engage in conversations with employers about the critical topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion within specific companies and the industry as a whole. Employers from Enterprise Holdings, Asheville Jewish Community Center, Genova Diagnostics, and the City of Asheville will be in attendance. Light refreshments will be served. This is a Degree Plus event. Learn more in Engage.
Townhall: Black History Celebration Brainstorm
Host: Student Government Association
6:00 - 8:00 pm
UC Multipurpose Room
SGA Executive Leaders invite student organizations and students to a brainstorming session to discuss plans and ideas for a Black History Celebration week taking place in February 2023. Learn more in Engage.
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Keynote Workshop - Who do men say I am?
Host: Intercultural Affairs
10:00 - 11:30am
UC Multipurpose Room
This transformative workshop focuses on discovering how YOU want to show up in the world despite the labels and expectations of others. This is a Degree Plus event. Register in Engage
Keynote Address - Courage to Own Your Greatness
Host: Intercultural Affairs
5:30 pm
UC Grandroom
Let’s be honest, everyone has that feeling of trepidation about going to the next level or stepping into the unknown. Sometimes that requires the extra push into your greater. In this dynamic presentation you will be introduced to LisaB’s signature framework that has helped thousands shift into their next level of greatness. This is a Degree Plus event. Register in Engage
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Dr. Walton Presentation and Luncheon - Youth, Trauma, Gaslighting & PTSD: A Legacy of the 1960s and 1970s
Host: Global Black Studies and Kappa Alpha Psi
11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Intercultural Affairs Lounge, UC 227
A presentation on the lasting mental health effects of Civil Rights and Black Power activists. Lunch will be provided but space is limited. This is a Degree Plus event. RSVP for the event in engage.
First Generation Leaders Workshop - Leaders in the Family
Host: Mentoring and Persistence to Success
5:00 - 6:00pm
Intercultural Affairs Lounge, UC 227
Did you know Coretta Scott King was a First-Gen Student? The 'First Gen' title can come with a lot of pride, but it sometimes comes with pressure too. How are you taking care of yourself? Start the spring semester off in a positive way by hitting the reset button and reminding yourself how capable you truly are! Undergraduate and graduate first-gen students are welcome to attend. This is a Degree Plus event. Learn more in Engage.
Community Service Opportunity
Host: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
2:00 - 4:00pm
University Center 2nd Floor Half Moons
Backpack donation drive for the Haywood Pathways Center. Your donated used and extra backpacks will help provide backpacks to financially struggling families.
Friday, January 20, 2023
Presentation: The Civil Rights Movement & Counternarratives
Host: Hunter Library
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Library Classroom 186
A presentation and discussion on how counternarratives are an important methodology tool that was used during the Civil Rights and other social movements. Share other research methodologies tht were critical to the Civil Rights Movement. This is a Degree Plus event. Learn more in Engage.
Student Leadership Workshop
Host: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
6:00 - 8:00 pm
UC Multipurpose Room
Student leaders will be speaking on a panel for other students who are interested in stepping into leadership positions. Student leaders will be answering questions and presenting about what leadersip looks like on WCU's campus, and how they lead. RSVP in Engage
Movie: Till
Host: Last Minute Productions
6pm & 9pm
UC Theater
Saturday, January 21, 2022
Movie: Till
Host: Last Minute Productions
6pm & 9pm
UC Theater
page last revised 1/13/23