An Evening with Lawrence Ross

Campus and community invited to events held at UCR in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

By Mojgan Sherkat on December 21, 2016

EDITOR’S NOTE: Weather conditions have prompted the cancellation of the MLK noon event by the  bell tower. The evening candlelight vigil and conversation with Lawrence Ross will remain as scheduled.  

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (www.ucr.edu) – The University of California, Riverside, invites the campus and community to join African Student Programs (ASP), and many other UCR organizations, in a three-part celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Wednesday, Jan.11, 2017.

The celebration kicks off at noon at the UCR Bell Tower with a “MLK Celebration Nooner” event. There will be a candlelight vigil from 5:15-5:45 p.m. at the Bell Tower, and at 6 p.m., ASP will host “An Evening with Lawrence Ross,” in HUB 302 South. All events are free and open to the public.

“I am delighted to see the many campus co-sponsors coming together to celebrate the life and legacy of this drum major for social justice,” said Ken Simons, the director of ASP.

Ross, an American author, was born in Los Angeles and attended UC Berkeley and UCLA, where he earned, respectively, degree in history, and a Master of Fine Arts degree. He worked as a reporter for the Los Angeles Independent newspaper, and was later the managing editor of Rap Sheet, hip-hop’s first West Coast magazine.

Ross, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, wrote, “The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities.” The book tells the story of America’s black fraternities and sororities, and how these organizations have played a major role in shaping generations of black leaders. The book has appeared on the best-seller lists of the Los Angeles Times, Essence, and BlackBoard, a student magazine for Northwestern University. Ross’ other books include: “The Ways of Black Folks: A Year in the Life of a People;” “Friends with Benefits;” “Skin Game;” “Money Shot: The Wild Nights and Lonely Days in Black Porn;” and “Blackballed: The Black and White Politics of Race on America’s Campuses.”

In the past 10 years, Ross has lectured at over 300 colleges and universities, on the topics of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, hazing and how black fraternity and sorority members can fulfill their promises. He has also written commentaries for theroot.com, theGrio.com and CNN.com about African American fraternal life and education. He has appeared on National Public Radio and the program Good Morning Atlanta. Ross has also been interviewed in Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, Time magazine, and many other outlets.

Free parking will be available in Lot 1 after 4 p.m. The celebration is sponsored by ASP, Alpha Phi Alpha, Black Student Union of UCR, the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, Diversity Council, and many others.

Archived under: Arts/Culture, African Student Programs, ken simons, lawrence ross, Martin Luther King Jr., press release

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