A presentation by an area civil rights leader and a performance by an African drumming ensemble are part of events planned to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at North Dakota State University.
NDSU is hosting a celebration Wednesday, Jan. 23, at noon in the Memorial Union Arikara room. The events are intended to celebrate King’s life and achievements.
Keynote speaker and NDSU alumnus Thomas Jefferson is scheduled to share his experiences and involvement with the civil rights movement. He participated in 1963’s March on Washington, which featured King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
The Atmosphere, an African drumming ensemble formed in 2012, also will perform. The group is composed of musicians from countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Senegal and Republic of Burundi.
The blend of cultures fuses African and contemporary styles of music. The Atmosphere includes NDSU students Samuel Ogunyemi, Evete Nimpagritse, Oluchi Okakpu, Irene Forfor and Oyiza Obami.
The events are sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Programs and Compass Program Foundation. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Jan. 21.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.