Ware to speak at JBU for MLK Day

The Rev. Lawrence Ware, assistant professor and diversity coordinator in the Department of Philosophy at Oklahoma State University (OSU), will be speaking at John Brown University on Monday, Jan. 15, in celebration of Martin Luther King Day.

Ware will speak at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Ozarks and again at 6:30 p.m. in Simmons Great Hall. During the evening dinner, Rod Reed, university chaplain, will interview Ware about his involvement in racial reconciliation work in the church.

Ware, a co-director of the Africana Studies Program at OSU, teaches and lectures across the country on issues ranging from race to economic policy. Ware is a contributing writer to The New York Times, Slate Magazine and The Root and has been a commentator on race and politics for TV One, the Huffington Post Live and NPR.

"JBU is honored to welcome such a distinguished writer and thinker to celebrate and honor the memory and work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.," said Marquita Smith, JBU associate professor of journalism and coordinator of diversity relations, said. "Lawrence embodies the mission and heart of King's work in promoting unity among Christ followers."

"JBU fosters an environment where students may engage in meaningful discussions, and we are excited and privileged to hear his perspective on religion and race," Smith said.

Both events are open to the public. Dinner guests are welcome to purchase a meal in the JBU cafeteria.