Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Luncheon

The University of North Florida’s (UNF) Intercultural Center for PEACE (ICP) annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Luncheon, is a event where an internationally acclaimed leader is invited to speak to honor the ideals of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and teach about his non-violence philosophy. The program also honors and provides scholarship to students whose leadership and service reflect Dr. King’s teachings, Past speakers (selected list) include Asa Hilliard, Ossie Davis, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Blair Underwood, and recently Dr. Ben Carson. During the program four student scholarships are awarded. Over $100,000 has been awarded to UNF students.

An award for faculty has been added, this recognition is awarded a faculty member who promotes diversity and has outstanding international and community accomplishments working towards peace. The faculty award is named after Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the only Nobel Peace Prize Winner who has previously taught at UNF. The program takes place in February as part of the UNF Black History Month Celebration. For the last thirty years, the annual Martin Luther King Scholarship Luncheon has raised scholarships funds for over 75 UNF students. Attendance at the event has grown from a modest number of guests to approaching 450 attendees, attracting a students, faculty, staff and community members.

This event is sponsored by UNF President’s Office, the Office of the Vice President of Student and International Affairs, and the Intercultural Center for PEACE.

For 2013 speaker, please see Upcoming Events.

Past Speakers

2012	Dr. James H. Cone Charles Augustus Briggs Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology at Union Theological Seminary and author of numerous published books and articles
2011	Juan Williams Author, Journalist and Political Commentator
2010	Dominique Dawes Olympic Gold Medal winning gymnast, three time Olympian, motivational speaker, spokeswoman, broadcaster, and Yahoo! Sports Analyst
2009	Dr. Benjamin Carson A full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He was named by CNN and TIME Magazine as one of the nation’s 20 foremost physicians and scientists, and he was selected by the Library of Congress as one of 89 “Living Legends” on the occasion of its 200th anniversary.
2008	Blair Underwood Actor, Director, Producer and Author.
2007	Tavis Smiley Broadcaster, Author, Advocate and Philanthropist
2006	Charlayne Hunter-Gault World renowned Journalist, Author, and Civil Rights Pioneer. As CNN’s former Johannesburg Bureau Chief and Correspondent, Hunter-Gault introduced viewers to the people of the diverse continent of Africa, a country she once called “one of the greatest challenges that we in the media face.”
2005	Dick Gregory Author, Actor and Civil Rights Activist. Gregory continues to work for human rights causes around the world.
2004	Dr. Cornel West Professor at Princeton University a compelling orator, acute philosopher, and progressive visionary. Dr. West was a professor of religion and director for the Program in African-American Studies in Princeton. His book, Race Matters was published in 1993.