Loading....
Join Us Now!
The Akron Urban League is pleased to present its annual celebration of the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
During this virtual event, you will hear from two of our top local leaders and two young professionals about the shared history, alliances, cooperation and conflicts, and celebrations within our Jewish and African American communities, who together, fought in the Civil Rights Movement in a strategic and significant way, culminating in the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Dr. King inspired us to believe in personal, social, and global change and the power of his dream for racial equality, diversity, and love. Perhaps most important, Dr. King taught us that everyone can make a difference, and every day is a chance to be a voice for justice, diversity, equality and inclusion.
The event is FREE and the first 200 registrants have the option to receive an Akron Urban League Breakfast mug with treats "as a breakfast" for you to enjoy during the program. We will deliver to you (for our Summit County guests) or pick up is available Saturday, January 16th from 10:00 - 11:30am. Sign up early and reserve your place at our virtual breakfast.
Our Keynote Panel
Rev. Marvin A. McMickle, Ph.D.
Born in Chicago in 1948, Rev. Marvin A. McMickle, Ph.D. is a graduate of Aurora University in Illinois with a B.A. in Philosophy in 1970 and a Doctor of Divinity in 1990. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, did additional graduate study at Columbia University, earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, and was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1998. He also was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters by Payne Theological Seminary in 2010.
Dr. McMickle served as President of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, July 2011-June 2019. He was pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio from 1987 to 2011 and a member of the Cleveland State University Board of Trustees. Dr. McMickle also was Professor of Homiletics at Ashland Theological Seminary, 1996-2011, and was named Professor Emeritus upon retirement. He is the author of 15 books, dozens of articles in professional journals and magazines, and preaching commentaries. He is a member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and has taught at Yale University Divinity School.
Rabbi David Horowitz
Rabbi David M. Horowitz is the rabbi emeritus of Temple Israel in Akron, Ohio. Prior to his election as rabbi of Temple Israel in 1983, Rabbi Horowitz served congregations in Indianapolis and Hammond, Indiana. In 2001 thru 2002 Rabbi Horowitz served as the rabbi of Temple Shalom, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Rabbi Horowitz received his bachelor degree from Tulane University in English Literature, his Bachelor of Hebrew Letters, Master of Arts, Ordination, and Doctor of Divinity (honoris Causa) from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati, Ohio. He has taught philosophy and theology at Calumet College, Hammond, Indiana, and courses in the Ethnic Studies at Kent State University.
Rabbi Horowitz serves as the national president of PFLAG, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays as well as past president of PFLAG Akron, Ohio. Rabbi Horowitz has served, among others, as a member of Jewish Community Board of Akron, of the Community Relations Council (Chair), the National Committee on HIV/AIDS for the Union For Reform Congregations, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Institutional Review Board of Akron Children's Hospital, the Akron Area Interfaith Council and the Blossom Board of Overseers.
He lectures widely on issues dealing with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender concerns, as well as a variety of Judaic subjects, to academic institutions, religious institutions, and corporations throughout the United States and in foreign lands.
Jolene A. Lane - Moderator
Jolene A. Lane has built a career in education promoting diversity, equity and inclusion and is now working in the DEI space with organizations and their leadership teams striving to broaden the impact of this important work. Ms. Lane served as Vice President for Inclusion and Equity and Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Akron and Senior Director for Diversity and Community Affairs at Teachers College, Columbia University. A seasoned educator, she has worked in higher education, elementary and secondary education, and in the non-profit sector. Previous work includes Executive Director at Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA), an educational non-profit organization whose mission is to provide college access and leadership development for public high school students from underrepresented backgrounds nationally and Founding Principal of Leadership Public Schools’ first charter high school.
Ms. Lane studied mathematics and pre-med at Harvard University, earned a Master of Education from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education in Administration, Planning and Social Policy with a focus in Higher Education and is currently completing her dissertation from Teachers College, Columbia University in Adult Learning and Leadership. Her doctoral research is focused on how women of color in academia balance the complex issues of their professional and personal lives. She is also a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) assessment of intercultural competence.
Ms. Lane is actively involved in community initiatives supporting inclusivity and building relationships that foster community involvement impacting race and gender equity - including membership on the Board of the Akron Urban League. She is especially interested in providing equity and access to excellent educational opportunities, and mentoring to help provide the cultural capital necessary for success.
Chika Nkwocha
Chika Nkwocha is an 18-year old graduate of Akron Early College High School. She currently attends The Ohio State University double majoring in Biomedical Engineering and Studio Art with a minor in City and Regional Planning. Chika is also a proud Nigerian-American and a nationally award-winning artist. Her passion for civic justice and for showcasing the Black experience inspires her art and has led her to be a voice for social change in her communities.
Abby Kushner Benson
Abby Kushner Benson is currently a sophomore attending the College of Wooster. She is majoring in Anthropology, while still exploring options for her minor. In addition to her studies, she plays for the Wooster's (division three) Women's Tennis team and is on the student council for her school's Hillel as treasurer. Additionally, she is also on the Temple Israel Ritual Committee. In her free time, she enjoys baking and exploring different art mediums.
Armani Ponder-Keith - Singer
Armani is a high school senior at Firestone High School and is passionate about performing arts. She is a part of the Akron School for the Arts Program participating in theater and choir in addition to her participation in the Youth Excellence Performing Arts workshop. Armani’s plans after high school include obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts in music theater and performing on a Broadway stage. In her free time, Armani loves to laugh with family and friends.
Quick Details
A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSOR
SUPPORTING SPONSOR
SPONSORS
CBiz | Tia Farmakidis
Thank You!
The event link will be emailed to you January 16th. Please look in your spam/junk folder.
We will also send the link at 7:00 am on the morning of January 18, 2021.
Please share this event with anyone else who might be interested in the work we are doing to enhance the quality of life for the community.
The recording of the event will be available at a later time on the Akron Urban League website.