In celebration of the Civil Rights Legacy, this series will focus on the history as well as attempt to offer some strategies for community building moving forward. Shared from the African-American, Christian educator and activist perspective, the lecture series will utilize the final work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?" Dr. Jacqueline Taylor, assistant dean of students at Union, will serve as course convener and discussion leader to help enrolled students grapple with the implications of the Civil Rights Movement upon today's realities. Professionals from educational, church, and community leadership will serve as guest lecturers. Featured Town & Gown Lectures (6-8:00 p.m.); Class discussion for enrolled students only (8:15-10 p.m.)
Lectures are free and open to the public.
Speaker: Lawrence A. Ragland, Senior Pastor of Historic Watson Grove Missionary Baptist Church in New Albany, Mississippi
Pastor Lawrence A. Ragland has been very active in speaking at Dr. Martin L. King Jr. events across the country since 2000 and participated in the 49th and 50th Anniversary of the March Across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the 50th March on Washington. He is a graduate of Union University with a Bachelor of Science Degree, Tennessee Temple Baptist Seminary with a Master of Ministry Degree and Andersonville Baptist Seminary with a Master of Divinity Degree. He is vice-president of Union County, Mississippi NAACP. His personal motto is "The power of change can come from many, but only when the many become One".
Speaker: Harrell Carter, President of Jackson-Madison County NAACP Local Chapter
Born in Jackson-Madison County, Mr. Harrell Carter attended local public schools and is a graduate of Merry High School and Jackson State Community College. He also attended West Tennessee Business College, Lane College, and the University of Washington in Seattle. Active in various community leadership boards, Mr. Carter has served as the keynote speaker for past annual Martin Luther King, Jr. events on campus. Mr. Carter is the dedicated father of four and he is a life-long member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, TN.
Speaker: Mary Anne Poe, Professor of Social Work, Associate Dean of Social Work, and Director, Center for Just and Caring Communities, Union University
Mary Anne Poe holds a Master of Science in Social Work and a Master of Divinity. Over the past several years, Professor Poe has written on topics including faith and learning, social justice as the restoration of right relationships, and the integration of Christian faith and social work practice. Professor Poe is married to Dr. Hal Poe, Charles Colson University Professor of Faith & Culture at Union University.
Speaker: Jacqueline S. Taylor, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of the Vocatio Center for Life Calling and Career, Union University
Dr. Jacqueline S. Taylor holds an earned doctorate in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Higher Education Administration. For this Town & Gown Series, Dr. Taylor will serve as course convener and discussion leader. Dr. Taylor teaches two courses at Union regarding racial reconciliation and civil rights: "Christian Perspectives on Education, Race, and Justice" and the current series "Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement." Dr. Taylor serves as Sunday School Teacher for New Life in Christ Ministries in Lexington, TN, and she and her husband Earnest have two daughters, Cecily and Adrienne.
Speaker: Sephira Shuttlesworth, Wife of the Late Civil Rights Activist/Leader, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth
Sephira Bailey Shuttlesworth, a former teacher and elementary school principal of 23 years, was born in Jackson, Tennessee. In 2006, she married Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, who played a strategic role in the civil rights movement alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mrs. Shuttlesworth shares insider information about the role, strategies and motives used by her late husband in the Birmingham while also taking a look at current challenges towards eliminating chaos and building community. She is a Union alumna and now serves as the leader of Mid-Michigan Leadership Academy in Lansing, MI.
1050 Union University Drive | Jackson, Tennessee 38305 | 731-661-5963
