Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute 2022
Monday, January 17, 2022
Join us for the Wayne State University Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute to celebrate and honor his life and legacy.
Keynote speaker, Christopher Wilson
Christopher Wilson is a Wayne State University 2021 Distinguished Alumni Awardee, '07 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
In leading Experience Design at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Christopher Wilson works to engage visitors in conversation about our nation's rich and diverse history. Chris founded several major program series at the Smithsonian including: History alive! theater programs, interactive and emotional presentations of stories of America's past that resonate in the nation's present; the National Youth Summit series, engaging high school students nationally and internationally in conversation about relevant history; and the History Film Forum, an exploration of film as public history.
Chris has worked on exhibitions including Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life, American Democracy, and The Greensboro Lunch Counter. Chris spent 18 years at Henry Ford Museum before moving onto the Smithsonian in 2004 to take the role of director of the African American History Program at the National Museum of American History. In this role he oversaw the Program's rich collection of oral histories, interviews, and recordings as well as researched and produced programs primarily focused on the Civil Rights Movement.
He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and his Master's in History from Wayne State University. He has earned numerous accolades for his innovations in education and publishes book reviews and articles for Smithsonian magazine. Chris is currently working to relaunch his Time Trials program, which explores history and memory, as a series of graphic novels and a television program.
"Looking Back to Look Ahead"
Greg Bowens, emcee
Opening remarks
Patrick O. Lindsey, vice president for government and community affairs,
Wayne State University
Vocal performance
Zania Alaké — "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and "The Star-Spangled Banner"
President's welcome
M. Roy Wilson, president, Wayne State University
Board of Governors' welcome
Marilyn Kelly, chair, Board of Governors, Wayne State University
Special message
Gary Peters, U.S. senator
Dream title sponsor remarks
Trina Scott, chief diversity officer, Rocket Companies
MLK reflection
Reginald Turner, president, American Bar Association
Poetry reading
Ife Martin, InsideOut Detroit Youth Literary Arts Program
Vocal performance
Zania Alaké — "A Change is Gonna Come"
Dr. Arthur L. Johnson community leadership awards
Presented to individual and organizational winners
Warrior Strong Distinguished Service Award
Presented to Brenda Jones, retired Detroit City Council president
Keynote address and conversation
Christopher Wilson, director of experience design,
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
MLK reflection
Marquita T. Chamblee, Ph.D., associate provost for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, Wayne State University
Closing remarks
Patrick O. Lindsey, vice president for government and community affairs,
Wayne State University
Thank you to our sponsors
Dream Title
Dream Warrior
Dream Believer
Dream Maker
Dream Catcher
Classroom Sponsor
Media Partner
Educational Partner
