Authors Candace Gingrich and Jonathan Kozol come to UMKC for lectures in November

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Division of Diversity, Access and Equity (DDAE) continues to provide initiatives supporting cultural inclusion and social justice. As part of those initiatives, DDAE continues to bring relevant voices to UMKC by sponsoring guest lecturers who are renowned in the fields.

“The goal of our office is to seek, support and celebrate the diversity of individuals in a variety of ways,” said Kristi Ryujin, Director, Diversity Initiatives. “One way is through programming –exposing our campus and our community to different perspectives and life experiences and challenging the privileges afforded to select groups at the exclusion of others.”

Candace Gingrich – author of “The Accidental Activist: A Personal & Political Journey” and advocate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights – will present the Third Annual UMKC Pride Keynote Address at UMKC on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 6 p.m. Her involvement in the movement for gay rights began in 1995 when her brother, Rep. Newt Gingrich, R-GA., was elected House Speaker. Since then, she has not stopped advocating for the issues important to the LGBT community.

On Thursday, Nov. 19, Jonathan Kozol, author of numerous books – including “Amazing Grace”, “Savage Inequalities” and “The Shame of the Nation” – and an advocate for educational equality, will be the keynote speaker for the Second Annual Rosa Parks Lecture on Social Justice and Activism. Kozol’s work has influenced educational and social policy in the United States.

Schedule of PRIDE events:

Third Annual 2009 UMKC Pride Celebration

Pride Breakfast, 7:30 – 9 a.m., Oct. 29; $38 per ticket; $300 per table
Pride Film Festival: 40th Anniversary of Stonewall, 4 – 9 p.m., Nov. 2
Pride Play: “The Laramie Project,” 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., Nov. 7; tickets — $15 adult; $10 senior; $6 student. Available through the UMKC Central Ticket Office, 816-235-6222 or on the Web at CTO .
Candace Gingrich, 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 11, Pierson Auditorium, UMKC University Center, 5000 Rockhill Road. Free and open to the public.

Second Annual Rosa Parks Lecture on Social Justice & Activism

Jonathan Kozol, award-winning author and advocate for educational equality, 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19, Pierson Auditorium. Free and open to the public. A book signing will follow.

For additional information, click here.

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience.

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