Poet and Educator Haki Madhubuti to Address Law School Luncheon

In commemoration of the 74th birthday of slain civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., DePaul University’s Cultural Center will hold its annual prayer breakfast Jan. 20 at 7:30 a.m. in the Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave., Room 120. Special guest speaker is the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ (T.U.C.C.), 400 W. 95th St. A renowned preacher, sought-after lecturer and revered community leader, Wright, 61, has pastored TUCC for 30 years. He has overseen the church’s burgeoning growth to a membership of more than 8,000 – the largest congregation worldwide in its denomination. He has published four books and numerous articles.

“We are very pleased to have Rev. Wright as guest speaker this year,” said Harvette Grey, executive director of the Cultural Center. “His views on civil rights, social justice and humanitarianism mirror King’s. I hope that this program will provide us a chance to reflect on the ways that Dr. King impacted our lives, and how social justice is not just for a select group, but for all of us.”

A native of Philadelphia, Wright is also an accomplished musician and author. He wrote and composed Jesus Is His Name and God Will Answer Prayer, which were recorded by the Trinity Choral Ensemble, on their Trinity label.

Wright earned a doctor of ministry degree from the United Theology Seminary, and master’s of arts degrees from Howard University and the University of Chicago. He is the recipient of three U.S. Presidential Commendations, and numerous other awards including the Proctor Fellow Award and the Rockefeller Fellowship. In 1993, Ebony Magazine named him number two of North America's Top 15 Black Preachers.

The T.U.C.C. men’s chorus will perform at the breakfast. The breakfast is free and open to the public, however, reservations are required. Please RSVP by calling 773/325-7759 by Jan.13, 2003.

DePaul’s College of Law will co-sponsor with the Cultural Center a luncheon and lecture featuring poet Haki Madhubuti at the Egan Urban Center, 243 S. Wabash Ave., 9th floor. Lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m. and the program will begin at noon. Please R.S.V.P. by calling 312/362-8450 by noon, Jan. 15, 2003.

Madhubuti, an award-winning poet, publisher, editor and educator has authored 24 books, some under his former name, Don L. Lee. His latest works include: “Claiming Earth: Race, Rage, Rape, Redemption” (1994), “GroundWork: New and Selected Poems from 1966-1996” (1996) and “HeartLove: Wedding and Love Poems” (1998). His critical analysis of the plight of black males, “Black Men: Obsolete, Single, Dangerous?” (1990) has sold more than 1 million copies. His latest book is “Tough Notes: A Healing Call for Creating Exceptional Black Men.”

A proponent of independent black institutions, Madhubuti is the founder and publisher of Third World Press, and the co-founder of the Institute of Positive Education/New Concept School and the Betty Shabazz International Charter School. He holds a master of fine arts (M.F.A.) degree from the University of Iowa and is the director of Chicago State University’s M.F.A. in Creative Writing program. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by DePaul in 1996.Other DePaul celebrations of the King holiday on various campuses include:

· Jan. 19, 9:30 p.m. Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1010 W. Webster Ave.;

· Jan. 20, noon Mass at Lewis Center Chapel, 25 E. Jackson Blvd.

At both liturgies, the Rev. Dernard Newell, DePaul’s new university minister for African American ministry, will reflect on connections between the work and lives of St. Vincent de Paul and King.

· University Ministry Taste of Faith Fair, the DePaul Gospel Choir will perform at 4:30 p.m. in the Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave., Room 120.

· The Naperville Campus, 150 W. Warrenville Road., will commemorate the day with singers performing gospel tunes from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the main lobby.

· The Student Affairs Office of the Barat Campus, 700 East Westleigh Road, Lake Forest, will sponsor a series of civil rights films at Sophie’s Bistro, located on the ground floor of Old Main Administration Building. The films include: “Four Little Girls,” “ At The River I Stand,” “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Historical Perspective,” “ I Have A Dream: The Nature of Great Speaking,” “King: A Filmed Record Montgomery to Memphis,” and “Religion and Race in America.” A student discussion entitled “Has Dr. Martin Luther King’s Dream Been Achieved? If Not, How Far Along is it?” will be held at 7 p.m. in Sophie’s Bistro. For more information, contact Joy Molano, Barat Campus Director of Student Activities, at 847/574-4223.

All events are free and open to the public.