MLK III to Replace O'Brien at King Event

Martin Luther King, III will deliver the keynote message at Illinois State University's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dinner Friday, January 22, beginning at 5 p.m. in the Bone Student Center Brown Ballroom.  The originally scheduled speaker, CNN's Soledad O'Brien, was forced to cancel her appearance to report on the tragic events in Haiti.

"We are honored that Mr. King will bring a powerful message to Illinois State as he carries on the work of both of his parents," said President Al Bowman, whose office is co-sponsoring the event with the Illinois State University Student Chapter of the NAACP. 

A few tickets, which must be purchased by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, remain available for the dinner and speech at a cost of $15 for students and $35 for non-students.  Any ticketing questions should be directed to Julie Barnhill, director of Presidential and Trustee Events, at (309) 438-8790 or by e-mail at jtbarnh@ilstu.edu.

Martin Luther King, III, the second oldest child of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, has been motivating audiences around the world with his insightful message of hope and civility for nearly 20 years. He has taken the torch lit by his father and continued the quest for equality and justice for all people. From Mozambique to Mississippi, Israel to Indiana, his message has touched thousands.

A moving and popular speaker, Martin Luther King, III is equally comfortable in high school gymnasiums, corporate boardrooms, and university lecture halls. Mr. King's humble spirit and disarming wit are universally embraced. His most popular message is "The Dream Deferred," an examination of the goals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in today's society.

A human rights advocate, community activist and a political leader, Mr. King has been actively involved in significant policy initiatives to maintain the fair and equitable treatment of all citizens, at home and abroad. His missions have taken him to numerous nations throughout Africa, Europe, and Asia. His messages and initiatives are all rooted within the tenets of nonviolent conflict resolution.

In 1986, Mr. King was elected to political office as an at-large representative of over 700,000 residents of Fulton County, Georgia. His tenure on the Board of Commissioners was marked by legislation regulating minority business participation in public contracting, strong ethics legislation, purification of the county's natural water resources, and stringent hazardous waste disposal requirements.

Committed to the personal, educational and skill development of youth, he has initiated several programs throughout the years to support and nurture young people.