Author of “The Other Wes Moore” issues a call to action at UMKC on Oct. 16
Kansas City, Mo. – Two newspaper articles, about two young men with the same name, led to a book about a Rhodes Scholar and a murderer.
Wes Moore, the Rhodes Scholarship recipient, read an article about himself in the Baltimore Sun in 2000. In the very same newspaper, he read another story about a young man wanted for the murder of a police officer – a young man who shared the same name, from the same neighborhood and around the same age.
Curious about the coincidence, he delved further, and eventually decided to write about the “consequences of personal responsibility and the imperativeness of education and community for a generation of boys searching for their way.” His book is “The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates.”
A former paratrooper, Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Johns Hopkins University, TV analyst and youth advocate, Moore will be the keynote speaker at the Social Justice Book and Lecture Program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Moore will talk about choices, education and mentoring. The program will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16 in Pierson Auditorium. The lecture, sponsored by the Division of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow.
More than 30 UMKC faculty members are using the book as part of their fall curriculum, culminating with the Social Justice Lecture. Approximately 400 students will participate in discussions after having read the book.
As part of the 2013 Social Justice and Book Lecture Program, the Miller Nichols Library will hold a book discussion from 3 – 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 at the iX Theater in the library.
The division provides initiatives supporting cultural social justice and inclusion, bringing relevant voices to UMKC by sponsoring guest lecturers who are renowned in the fields, such as Colin Beavan and Jonathan Cohn.
Parking at the University Center and Cherry Street Garage is free during the event. For additional details, visit the Division of Diversity’s website or call (816) 235-6704.
About the University of Missouri-Kansas City
The University of Missouri-Kansas City, one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students, and celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2013. 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. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.
###
This information is available to people with speech or hearing impairments by calling Relay Missouri at (800) 735-2966 (TT) or (800) 735-2466 (voice).