Congratulations to AADS Coordinator Jesse Benjamin on receiving the 2013 Hosea Williams Individual Award for Community Engagement

KENNESAW, Ga. (Jan 16, 2014) — 10th Anniversary 2014 Martin Luther King Commemorative Series and 31st Annual Martin Luther King Convocation

Congratulations to AADS Coordinator Jesse Benjamin, the recipient of the Hosea Williams Individual Award for Community Engagement. The award is being given for his work running the Walter Rodney Public Speakers Series at the AUC Library in 2013. This Award forms part of Georgia State's Annual MLK Convocation events during the month of January, Intercultural Relations will host the 10th anniversary MLK Commemorative Series scheduled for Wednesday, January 15th through Friday, January 24th.

This series includes events that support Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of social justice and civil rights for everyone. The series begins with Feed Your Senses: A Dance Tribute in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the Rialto Center for the Arts on January 15th at Noon.

A major highlight is the 31st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation which will begin at 4 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. The Student Center Ballroom is located on the corner of Courtland and Gilmer streets. The event is held on Thursday, January 23, 2014. Richard Blanco, Acclaimed Poet, will serve as the keynote speaker for MLK Convocation. Doors will open at 3 p.m.

The theme for this year’s program is “Advancing the Dream…Elevating Social Justice.” The 2014 recipients of the Torch of Peace Award and the Hosea Williams Award for Community Activism will be recognized at the MLK Convocation. The Torch of Peace Award honors an exemplary undergraduate and graduate student, faculty, staff, student organization and alumnus who have demonstrated leadership and service in the promotion of intercultural relations.

The Hosea Williams Award honors an individual and a community-based organization for their public service.

The awardees for the 2014 MLK Torch of Peace Kyle Patrick Stapleton Alumni Award College of Business Olga Jarrett, Ph.D. Faculty Award College of Education Tiffany Tuma Staff Award Office of Financial Aid Stacy Ines Rodriquez Undergraduate Student Award Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Edwin Ted Neill Graduate Student Award College of Business Faces of Feminism Student Organization Award Institute of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies

The awardees for the 2014 Hosea Williams Award for Community Activism are as follows:

* Individual Award Jesse Benjamin Ph.D. Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice Kennesaw State University

Organization Award Beltline Bike Shop (www.beltlinebikeshop.org)

A reception will follow MLK Convocation with music by Wild Rice Latin Jazz. The series will conclude with a special Panther Prowl hosted by Spotlight Programs Board, a first time participant for MLK Series.

If you have any questions concerning physical access or wish to request disability – related accommodations contact Saretha Pyant, Office of Disability Services at 404-413-1560 (Office), 404-413-1564 (TTY) or via email at spyant@gsu.edu.

For additional information about the MLK series events, contact 404-413-1584, email Tcook3@gsu.edu or intercultural.gsu.edu.