Join the Rutgers Cultural Center Collaborative as we build on Dr. King’s legacy of excellence.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Series 2023 | January 23 – 31

Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement logo

Funding for this program is provided by the Division of Student Affairs, the Opportunity Meets Innovation Challenge Grant through the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) of the State of New Jersey, and the Rutgers University New Brunswick IDEA Innovation Grant Program.

The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

Leading Towards Justice in the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Keynote by Angela Rye

Tuesday, January 31, 2023
7 pm – 8 pm | Trayes Hall, Douglass Student Center

The Rutgers University–New Brunswick community celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as we highlight the histories of ongoing struggles for social justice and civil rights in the United States with Angela Rye. Angela Rye has a distinguished trajectory in the field of political and legislative strategy in the service of civil rights, and she is a champion for economic empowerment, civic engagement, and political involvement for young professionals. During this keynote, she will provide an address on the importance of civic engagement in the pursuit of greater access, equity, and justice. The Rutgers University community will walk away with an increased awareness of how we can all lead in social justice work and how we are all involved in living in the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Please click here to learn more about Angela Rye.

Houselessness: a social justice concern

Houselessness: A Social Justice Concern

Wednesday, January 25
6:30pm – 8pm | MPR, College Ave Student Center

Confronting social justice in the unhoused community is an act of love. Join in the work to understand the experiences of the unhoused at the intersections. Walter Herres of SHILO NJ will lead in a talk and moderated Q&A about his experiences being unhoused in the New Brunswick area and how race, class and religion impacted his journey. Essentials of Compassion/Donations will be accepted (ex. Winter Wear & Hygiene Packages).

In partnership with Rutgers New Brunswick Theological Seminary & SHILO NJ

Dreaming Solidarity towards social justice

Dreaming Solidarity / Towards Social Justice

Friday, January 27
2pm – 5pm | Trayes Hall, Douglass Student Center

Executive board leaders from United Black Council, Latino Student Council, Asian Student Council, and Queer Caucus are invited to a gathering in January 2023! We would like to cordially invite you to an afternoon of community building and leadership development among all four of the Cultural Center Collaborative’s student leadership councils. Session to include: meet and greet opportunities, history and context for cultural centers and councils, and development around the topic of SOLIDARITY.

Keynote Speaker – Angela Rye

Angela Rye, award-winning host, social justice advocate, lawyer, commentator, and self-described empowermenteur, embodies what it means to be a “bringer of truth”. Named and raised accordingly, the attorney’s no holds barred commentary has resonated with demographics all over the world. Her thoughtful yet incisive commentary and real talk about social justice, politics, culture, and history sparks much-needed conversation about the state of America.

She is special correspondent at ESPN and the host of the podcast “On One with Angela Rye”. She has also been seen on several programs and outlets from Breakfast Club to the Daily Show, BET where she has been nominated for multiple NAACP Image Awards, HBO, TV One, CNN, ABC, NBC, NPR, and many others. Recognized for her honest, refreshing commentary and social justice advocacy by our nation’s most prominent civil rights organizations such as National Urban League, NAACP, and National Action Network she has also been featured in publications including the New York Times, Vanity Fair, Essence, Washington Post, Glamour, Ebony, and the Undefeated.

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Angela Rye is a 2019 recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from the historic HBCU, Wiley College. She is the Principal and CEO of IMPACT Strategies, a political advocacy, social impact, and racial equity firm based in Washington, DC where she creates strategic partnerships and coalitions with Capitol Hill, third party organizations, and influencers to ensure societal change. She served as the Executive Director and General Counsel to the Congressional Black Caucus for the 112th Congress. She also served as the Senior Policy Advisor and Counsel for the House Committee on Homeland Security for four years. With more than 15 years of political strategy and social responsibility experience, Angela has worked with every branch of government—on the municipal, state, and federal levels. She has also developed award-winning strategic partnerships between our nation’s most well known civil and human rights organizations for corporate and government partners. Working at the intersection of purpose, justice, and integrity, Angela is an effective leader who creates opportunities and opens doors for her peers and the next generation.

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