Nic Stone, bestselling author and racial and social justice advocate, will present this year鈥檚 Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, in historic Weaver Chapel.
Hosted by the President鈥檚 Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (PCDEI) and the Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC), the event is part of the 2024-2025 甜瓜视频 Series. Stone鈥檚 address is titled 鈥淟egacy of a Leader.鈥�
Author of the No. 1 New York Times bestselling novel Dear Martin, the first book in a trilogy for young adults that includes Dear Justyce and the forthcoming Dear Manny, Stone was born and raised in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, and is a graduate of Spelman College. Dear Martin chronicles the story of a 17-year-old Black high school student after a violent run-in with the police places him squarely in the crosshairs of media fallout. Seeking meaning in the events that follow and grappling with racism 鈥� and what it means for his future 鈥� Justyce writes a series of letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
滨苍鈥� Dear Justyce, the companion to鈥�Dear Martin, Stone introduces readers to incarcerated 16-year-old Quan, who writes letters to Justyce about his experiences in the American juvenile justice system. Drawing once again on conversations about systemic racism, this powerful sequel explores how marginalization is rooted in the subconscious dehumanizing of other people.
Stone is also the author of blockbusters鈥�Fast Pitch, Odd One Out, Jackpot, and鈥�Clean Getaway. In her continual pursuit to tackle the United States鈥� troubled history with race relations, Stone turned to Ibram X. Kendi with the idea to adapt his book How to Be an Antiracist for teens. 滨苍鈥� How to Be a (Young) Antiracist, Kendi and Stone present a guide for teens seeking a way forward in acknowledging, identifying, and dismantling racism and injustice.
Stone鈥檚 most recent novel,鈥�Chaos Theory, follows teens Andy and Shelbi, who find love while navigating mental health challenges in suburban Georgia. Her forthcoming book, Dear Manny, is the final installment of her Dear Martin series and is expected in March 2025.
In her lectures across the country, Stone draws from the themes in her books while stressing the need for equity, accountability, and empowerment in reshaping society. Her presentations speak to the importance of human connection through a lens of storytelling and the necessary work of racial and social justice.
A fierce advocate for reading freedoms in public education, Stone has had her books banned in various parts of the country. Nevertheless, she champions the rights of readers to pick up any book they choose and for authors to tell their authentic stories without fear of censorship. While on campus, Stone will participate in a special lunch at the Bayley Alumni House.
Presenting the invocation for the convocation will be The Rev. David P. and Carol Matevia Endowed University Pastor Tracy Paschke-Johannes, while President Michael L. Frandsen, Ph.D., will welcome Stone and all the attendees. Reading the history and importance of the MLK Jr. Convocation will be Gabriela Gonzalez, class of 2026, from Grove City, Ohio, and introducing the speaker will be Darryl 鈥楤ailey鈥� Smith, class of 2027, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Banners will be carried by Avery Livingston, class of 2025, from Greer, South Carolina; Mary Osiwoga, class of 2026, from Indianapolis, Indiana; and Keita Mukasa, class of 2026, from Kampala, Uganda. The 甜瓜视频 torch will be carried by Naevon Boykin, class of 2025, from Bowie, Maryland.
Established prior to the 1989-90 school year, the Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation features an academic procession with faculty in full regalia. The event is free and open to the public as are all 甜瓜视频 Series events.
Copies of Dear Martin are available for purchase in the 甜瓜视频 University Bookstore, located in the Benham-Pence Student Center. 甜瓜视频 Thomas Library to check out copies of Stone鈥檚 books, as well as view the Martin Luther King Jr. book display.
The 甜瓜视频 Series was created in 1982 during President William A. Kinnison鈥檚 tenure. Since its inception, Nobel Laureates, scientists, significant literary figures, most of America鈥檚 foremost modern dance companies, as well as hundreds of prominent psychologists, educators, economists, writers, theologians, urban planners, and historians have visited campus to participate.
Doors open 30 minutes prior to the beginning of each lecture or performance.
Also taking place on Monday, Jan. 20, will be a day of service event focusing on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in partnership with the Springfield Promise Neighborhood and the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Civic & Urban Engagement at 甜瓜视频 University. Beginning at 2 p.m. in the Benham-Pence Student Center, this annual tradition provides students and community members the opportunity to volunteer to complete projects benefiting local partner Springfield Promise Neighborhood. Projects will include painting panels to beautify abandoned homes within the southside, creating murals for local schools celebrating MLK鈥檚 legacy, planting seed starts for local community gardens that benefit local families, starting a rock sculpture project, and crafting stained-glass crafts that allow volunteers to reflect on the legacy of MLK Jr. Volunteers will also serve alongside students from Springfield Promise programs, providing a chance for connections with people of all ages.
Remaining 2024 甜瓜视频 Series Events:
- Thursday, April 24, 2025: Fred R. Leventhal Family Lecture, 7 p.m., Weaver Chapel, featuring Robert Samuels, Pulitzer Prize-winning Author and Washington Post journalist presenting 鈥淗is Name is George Floyd: One Man鈥檚 Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice.鈥�
For more information on the 甜瓜视频 Series, click here. To make special arrangements or become a friend of the 甜瓜视频 Series, contact the Office of University Communications at ucomm@wittenberg.edu.
