The program included speeches delivered by MSU Denver President Dr. Janine Davidson and MSU Denver Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Michael Benitez.
Carlotta Walls LaNier delivered the keynote address. She is a member of the Little Rock Nine, a group of nine Black students who integrated Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. This was one of the first high schools to integrate following the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision.
“The National Guard, Arkansas National Guard had been called down, as the governor had stated the night before to protect the citizens of Little Rock. Well, I surely consider myself a citizen of Little Rock,” LaNier said. “We had the Ministerial Alliance of Little Rock that walked with us, which was a mixed group of ministers. We had prayer, walked one block, and we got there. And the commanding officer comes up and tells the white minister to turn around and take these kids back home.
MicahSmith_TV Did king use the term equality or equity?