Eastern Connecticut State University

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Tomorrow: Eastern to host Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Connecticut NAACP president to give keynote address

Willimantic, CT (01/28/2025) — Eastern Connecticut State University will host a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the J. Eugene Smith Library, Johnson Room 204. The event is open to the public and sponsored by Eastern's Office of Equity & Diversity in partnership with the NAACP.

The event will feature a keynote address by Scot X. Esdaile, President of the Connecticut State Conference of NAACP Branches, who will reflect on Dr. King's legacy and the ongoing fight for civil rights and equality.

Eastern President Karim Ismaili will deliver the university welcome, setting the stage for an evening of reflection and inspiration. Musical performances will include Ashlee Bowman singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and "His Eye is on the Sparrow" (Lauryn Hill & Tanya Blount).

Additionally, the program will include:

  • A discussion on "Why Do We Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?"
  • NAACP updates from Rodney Alexander, Vice President of the NAACP Willimantic Chapter
  • A student speaker from Eastern's NAACP student chapter

The event will conclude with a celebration and networking session, providing an opportunity for attendees to engage in meaningful discussions about Dr. King's impact and the continued pursuit of social justice.

Eastern Connecticut State University is honored to host this event and welcomes all students, faculty, staff, and community members to participate.

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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2024-25 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.

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