Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Luncheon
Join us each February as we honor the ideals and teachings of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King by recognizing students who carry his legacy forward through both their scholastic achievements and commitment to servant leadership. Each year, generated proceeds from luncheon ticket sales support the Intercultural Center for Peace in having awarded UNF students more than $125,000 in scholarships to date. Evoking the dynamic oration skills of Dr. King, nationally acclaimed speakers take to the podium each year to deliver memorable keynote addresses. Past speakers include Ossie Davis, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Blair Underwood, Guy Jasmine, Hill Harper and Dominique Dawes.
The 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Celebration is scheduled for Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at Noon. The celebration will take place virtually via Zoom Webinar. This event is free and open to the public; registration is required. We hope to return to an in-person celebration in 2022.
Sponsorship Information
The first 125 UNF students attend FREE. One ticket per student with UNF I.D. Only available at the UNF Ticket Box Office.
Bronze Corporate Table: $500
Table for eight, table signage, preferential seating, recognition in program
Silver Corporate Table: $1000
Table for eight, table signage, preferential seating, recognition, company's logo will appear in the event program, and a special thank you from the podium during the luncheon
Gold Corporate Table: $2500
Table for eight, table signage, premier seating, recognition in the program, company's logo will appear in the event program, organization logo will be displayed on the screen and a special thank you from the podium during the luncheon
Platinum Corporate Table: $5000
Table for eight, table signage, premier seating, recognition in the program, company's logo will appear in the event program, organization logo will be displayed on the screen, a special thank you from the podium during the luncheon, and a meet and greet social with the speaker
Individuals who require reasonable accommodations in order to participate must notify the Intercultural Center for Peace at least five (5) business days prior to the event. For assistance, call (904) 620-2475. For special dietary needs contact Lorna Bautista at lbautist@unf.edu at least five (5) business days prior to the event.
Past Speakers
Year |
Speaker Name and Description |
2020 |
Reverend Gwendolyn Cook Webb Civil rights activist and participant in The Birmingham Children's Crusade. |
2019 |
Carlotta Walls-LaNier
Youngest of the Little Rock Nine, civil rights advocate, and Congressional Gold Medal recipient.
|
2018 |
Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. Chair of the Center for African American Studies and William S. Tod Professor of Religion and African-American Studies at Princeton University.
|
2017 |
Ndaba Thembekile Mandela
Grandson of the late South African President Nelson Mandela, President and CEO of Africa Rising, one of BET's "28 Men of Change."
|
2016 |
Terry McMillan Advocate and best-selling author of Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
|
2015 |
Steve Pemberton Corporate executive, motivational speaker, visionary youth advocate and best-selling author.
|
2014 |
Hill Harper Actor, performer, author, NAACP Image Award winner, youth advocate, and Harvard Law School alumnus.
|
2013 |
Jasmine Guy Performer, Director, Writer, and Choreographer.
|
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.
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