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Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith and Awards Commemoration honors King’s life and work
Eddie Glaude addresses the crowd with a large image of MLK in the background

“Let’s choose the America that Dr. King gave his life for,” Glaude said in his address. 

(Image: Damien Townsville)

Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith and Awards Commemoration honors King’s life and work

The annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith and Awards Commemoration celebrates King’s life and work and honors students, faculty, staff, and community members. This year’s winners were selected for their work in the Penn community and beyond.

Kristina García

24th annual Lecture in Social Justice
Orlando Patterson speaks at a podium. Behind him, a screen shows the five fundamental principals of social beings

“Dr. King fought for and defined, in real terms, the true meaning and purpose of freedom,” Orlando Patterson said. 

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24th annual Lecture in Social Justice

The 24th annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture in Social Justice featured sociologist Orlando Patterson of Harvard University, known for his work on the history of race and slavery, in conversation with Michael Hanchard of Africana Studies.

Kristina García

Timothy Rommen appointed vice provost for the arts at Penn
Timothy Rommen.

Timothy Rommen is the Davidson Kennedy Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of music and Africana studies in the School of Arts & Sciences. His role as inaugural vice provost for the arts begins Jan. 1, 2025.

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Timothy Rommen appointed vice provost for the arts at Penn

The Davidson Kennedy Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of music and Africana studies in the School of Arts & Sciences, Rommen will begin the new appointment on Jan. 1.
60 years of civil rights with Mary Frances Berry
Marcia Chatelain and Mary Frances Berry converse on a stage in front of an audience

Emeritus professor Mary Frances Berry reflected on the 60-year anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in conversation with Marcia Chatelain.

(Image: Tyrone Bullock, Jr.)

60 years of civil rights with Mary Frances Berry

The emeritus Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought reflected on the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in conversation with Marcia Chatelain.

Kristina García

Wale Adebanwi on social mobility, ethnonationalism, and democratic politics in Nigeria
Book cover for “How to Become a Big Man in Africa” written by Wale Adebanwe.

Wale Adebanwi is a Presidential Penn Compact Professor of Africana Studies and director of the Center for Africana Studies. 

(Image: Courtesy of Omnia)

Wale Adebanwi on social mobility, ethnonationalism, and democratic politics in Nigeria

The Presidential Penn Compact Professor of Africana Studies and director of the Center for Africana Studies revisits his journalistic roots with his new book about youth, violence, social dynamics, and governmental evolution.

Blake Cole

Penn law professor Dorothy E. Roberts named a MacArthur Fellow
Philadelphia Inquirer

Penn law professor Dorothy E. Roberts named a MacArthur Fellow

PIK Professor Dorothy Roberts has received the “genius grant” for her efforts to expose racism embedded in social-support programs, such as the child welfare system.

The Civil Rights Act at 60
president johnson with martin luther king, jr signing civil rights act

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson reaches to shake hands with Martin Luther King Jr. after presenting the civil rights leader with one of the 72 pens used to sign the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in Washington, D.C., on July 2, 1964. Surrounding the president, from left, are, Rep. Roland Libonati, D-Ill., Rep. Peter Rodino, D-N.J., Rev. King, Emanuel Celler, D-N.Y., and behind Celler is Whitney Young, executive director of the National Urban League.

(Image: AP Photo)

The Civil Rights Act at 60

To mark the anniversary, Mary Francis Berry, Marcia Chatelain, and William Sturkey of the School of Arts & Sciences and Deuel Ross of Penn Carey Law offer takeaways on the landmark legislation.

Kristen de Groot , Kristina García