by Gail Hairston

(Jan. 16, 2015) — The theme for Lexington’s 2015 celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day is MLK Today: The Courage to Change.

The day, Monday, Jan. 19, begins with the Freedom March lineup at 9 a.m. in the corridor outside Heritage Hall, downtown Lexington Center. Those participating in the Freedom March will depart Heritage Hall at 10 a.m., and return in time for the kickoff to the commemorative program at 11 a.m.

Lexington is always eager to learn who the MLK Day commemorative program’s keynote speaker will be. And the event planners rarely disappoint.

This year, Susan L. Taylor, the visionary leader and former chief editor of Essence magazine, will present the keynote address.

At Essence

by Gail Hairston

(Jan. 15, 2015) — As Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches, the University of Kentucky Martin Luther King Center is pursuing distinctive ways to highlight King’s legacy. Through Monday, Jan. 19, the center is offering a variety of events and opportunities that honor King’s dream and convey how important it is to keep his dream alive. King strived to eradicate social injustice, violence and racism, and the campus wants to celebrate that dream.

The film “Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” was shown Wednesday. For this year’s celebration of King’s actual birthday, Jan. 15, the center is celebrating and reflecting on the civil rights leader’s famous “I Have a Dream Speech.” The event begins Thursday with a silent march at the King Center at 5 p.m. A vigil and program

by: Gail Hairston

(Dec. 16, 2014) —At Kentucky’s recent 28th Annual Equal Employment Opportunity Conference, the Commonwealth’s Personnel Cabinet Secretary Tim Longmeyer and Arthur Lucas, executive director of the state Office of Diversity and Equality, presented the annual Charles W. Anderson Laureate Award to Gerald L. Smith, associate professor of history in the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences.

Anderson Laureates, the highest honor bestowed by the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet, are given to individuals recognized for significant contributions to equal

by Kathy Johnson

(Dec. 5, 2014) — WUKY's "UK Perspectives" focuses on the people and programs of the University of Kentucky and is hosted by WUKY General Manager Tom Godell. This week Godell listens in on a conversation between UK African American Studies professor DaMaris Hill and her student Nathan Moore. Under discussion is a recent anthology that showcases multiculturalism and characters of color – "Mothership: Tales from Afrofuturism & Beyond" edited by Bill Campbell and Edward Austin Hall.

To listen to the podcast interview from which "UK Perspectives" is produced, click here.

"UK Perspectives" airs at 8:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. each Friday on WUKY 91.3, UK's NPR station.

by Katy Benett, Peyton Carrington

(Dec. 4, 2014) — Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January every year. It celebrates the life and achievements of the influential American civil rights leader. It is seen as a day to promote equal rights for all Americans, regardless of their background.

In celebration of King, people across the nation come together to participate in service activities that positively impact different aspects of their community — the Martin Luther King Day of Service. For the third year, the University of Kentucky is offering a service opportunity for students, hosted with the support of the Center for Community Outreach

by Whitney Harder

(Nov. 17, 2014) — The University of Kentucky Appalachian Center will continue its Appalachian Forum with a screening of "Up the Ridge" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18. A discussion will follow with the film's co-producer Amelia Kirby, development director of the Appalachian Citizens Law Center and Melynda Price, director of the African American and Africana Studies Program and College of Law faculty member.

The event will be held in Room 213 of Kastle Hall and is

By Guy Spriggs

For many high school students, summer is little more than a break from school, offering the chance to relax, travel, or maybe even work at a summer job.

For the talented participants in the Whitney M. Young Scholars Program, the summer of 2014 offered the opportunity to spend two weeks gaining invaluable college experience on UK’s campus as part of a special collaboration between the UK’s Office of Institutional Diversity and the Lincoln Foundation, a Louisville-based institution dedicated to educational enrichment.

Started in 1990 – since becoming the hallmark of the Lincoln Foundation’s educational efforts – the Whitney M. Young Scholars

by Gail Hairston 

(Sept. 30, 2014) — More than an “s” has been added since the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Science was created in 1908 with only seven faculty members. In fact there was a College of Arts and Science even before the institution was named the University of Kentucky; the institution was called the State University, Lexington, Kentucky (previously Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky and State College) until 1916.

In those 106 years, several of today’s largest colleges were birthed from the original College of Arts and Science’s former programs, including today’s College of Education, College of Communication and Information, College of Social Work and College of Fine Arts.

The college grew quickly under the inspiration and commitment of President James Patterson, whose statue now graces the plaza next to

by Kathy Johnson

(Sept. 19, 2014) — WUKY's "UK Perspectives" focuses on the people and programs of the University of Kentucky and is hosted by WUKY General Manager Tom Godell.  Today's program features UK senior Nathan Moore who spent the past summer in New York as a fellow for the Schomburg-Mellon Humanities Summer Institute. He discusses his experience there and his research into slave narratives and their coded references.

To listen to the podcast interview from which "UK Perspectives" is produced, click here.

"UK Perspectives" airs at 8:35 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. each Friday on WUKY 91.3, UK's NPR station.

Check out this podcast installment of Office Hours with Buck Ryan and DaMaris Hill:

http://www.as.uky.edu/podcasts/office-hours-buck-ryan-and-damaris-hill

By Sarah Schuetze

There are many parallels between the kickoff of a program and starting a novel/story. The creative possibilities seem to inspire creative writing faculty members who are energized by new projects. For Andrew Ewell, a new assistant professor in UK’s Department of English, “beginning projects is exciting because you can go anywhere with it but it’s also daunting because you haven’t yet gone, but I like being in the middle of things when it’s always tugging at the back of my mind.”

But no one involved in establishing the Department of English’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing Program seems daunted by the newness of the program—their collective

A position is available for an Assistant Professor of African American Studies in Sociology or Political Science at the University of Kentucky.

The African American and Africana Studies Program and College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky seek an Assistant Professor of African American Studies working in the disciplines of sociology or political science.  The African American and Africana Studies Program (AAAS) is an interdisciplinary program that advances the study of African American Studies, African Studies and African Diaspora Studies. The position is a tenure-track appointment at the rank of assistant professor in the home department of his/her discipline whose teaching and service will be evenly allocated between AAAS and that department.  The area of specialization is open.   We are particularly interested in individuals with

By Brian Connors Manke

(July 16, 2014) — Originally from Indianapolis, Nathan Moore and his mother moved to Louisville when he was around 12. Growing up on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line, Moore is somewhat conflicted as a northern southerner, or is that southern northerner?

Regardless, one direction that Moore is certainly moving is up. The University of Kentucky junior was recently named a fellow for the Schomburg-Mellon Humanities Summer Institute in New York City, and as one of only 10 recipients to be bestowed that honor, it is helping to further define who Nathan Moore is and who he is quickly becoming as an academic.

“Being accepted into this fellowship is not only a prestigious and

by Gail Hairston

(May 28, 2014) — Kentucky Poet Laureate Frank X Walker was recently honored by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) as the recipient of the 2014 Honor Book for Poetry for his “Turn Me Loose: The Unghosting of Medgar Evers: Poems.” The 2014 BCALA Literary Awards recognize excellence in adult fiction and nonfiction by African-American authors published in 2013.

“This honor is extra special to me because of the reverence I have for libraries and librarians,” Walker said. “When I was a kid I wanted to grow up and drive the bookmobile. Recently, the Boyle County Public Library made my dream come true.

By Brian Connors Manke

Nathan Moore was recently interviewed for an A&S podcast about his experiences with the Schomburg-Mellon Humanities Summer Institute. Listen here, and read the story below.

Originally from Indianapolis, Nathan Moore and his mother moved to Louisville when he was around 12. Growing up on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line, Moore is somewhat conflicted as northern southerner, or is that southern northerner?

Regardless, one direction that Moore is certainly moving is up. The UK Junior was recently named a fellow for the Schomburg-Mellon Humanities Summer Institute in New York City, and as one of only 10 recipients to be bestowed that honor, it is helping to further define who Nathan Moore is

by Kody Kiser, Amy Jones-Timoney

(April 23, 2014) — As a long time researcher of the Kentucky African American experience and a contributing volume editor of the "The Papers of Martin Luther King Jr.: Advocate of the Social Gospel, September 1948-1963 Volume VI (2007),” Gerald Smith has a lot to share when he’s in the classroom. 

The associate professor of history is in his first year under a new title, serving as the Martin Luther King Center Scholar in Residence.

“It’s

by Jenny Wells, Derrick Meads 

(April 21, 2014) — Legendary anti-apartheid activist Denis Goldberg will speak at 4 p.m. today in the William T. Young Library Auditorium. A reception will follow at 5 p.m.

In 1964, Goldberg, Nelson Mandela and six others were tried and convicted for trying to overthrow the apartheid regime in South Africa.  He spent the next 22 years in prison, and was released in 1985 on the condition that he be exiled from his native South Africa to Israel.

After his release, Goldberg instead traveled the world organizing international opposition to apartheid, becoming a spokesperson for the African National Congress, then the leading anti-apartheid organization and current ruling party of South

Edit: Denis Goldberg's talk will begin at 4 p.m. on Monday, April 21st.

by Jenny Wells, Derrick Meads

(April 14, 2014) — This week and next, the University of Kentucky will host a panel discussion and an anti-apartheid activist to honor the legacy of Nelson Mandela. 

Mandela’s name is now synonymous with South Africa’s bold attempt at national reconciliation. In light of his recent passing, the panel will explore his legacy at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in Room 230 of the UK Student Center.  A reception will follow the discussion.

The event will trace the global discourse of truth and reconciliation through a broader consideration of Mandela’s remarkable life.

According to Stephen Davis, assistant professor in the UK African American and Africana Studies program, Mandela’s life has become a point of reference in

by Whitney Hale

(April 8, 2014) — "Reel to Real: Special Collections at the Movies," the University of Kentucky Special Collections Library's film series, will close this year with a screening of "Our Day," at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, at Worsham Theater in the UK Student Center. The film series explores celebrated movies through a historically accurate perspective based on primary source materials found in Special Collections. The screening is free and open to the public.

“Our Day” is a short 1938 documentary about the Kelly family of Lebanon, Ky. Filmed by Wallace Kelly, the home movie looks at a day in the life of the family.

Movie

by Gail Hairston, Rob Theakston 

(March 25, 3014) -- The University of Kentucky Late Night Film Series hosts award-winning filmmaker, author and community activist dream hampton, who will be presenting an exclusive director's cut of her current documentary "Transparent" at 7 p.m. Friday, March 28, at the University of Kentucky Worsham Theater. Admission is free.

"Transparent" is the story of Shelly Hilliard, a 19-year-old transgender woman living in Detroit who was brutally murdered. "Transparent" follows Hilliard's family and friends as they struggle to search for closure and tell the story of her life. The project is in its final phases and the Late Night Film Series will present a rough cut followed by a question and answer session with hampton, who prefers her name appear in lower case letters. A reception at the Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural