UPO 40th - MLK Jr. Memorial Breakfast 2024

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Dr. Russell Wigginton

President of the National Civil Rights Museum

Wigginton has deep roots in the Memphis community, having worked at Rhodes College, his alma mater, as a history professor and senior level administrator for 23 years. Graduating with a bachelor's in history in 1988, Wigginton returned to Rhodes in 1996 as a William Randolph Hearst Fellow, transitioning to teaching full-time before moving into administration. He earned his doctorate in 2000 in African American History at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  

While teaching in the History department at Rhodes, Wigginton published a book entitled, The Strange Career of the Black Athlete:  African-Americans and Sports as well as articles and essays on African American social and labor history.  Russ has served on numerous civic boards, including the National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis Zoo, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Facing History and Ourselves, Ballet Memphis, Arts Memphis, Urban Art Commission, Bridges USA, St. George's Independent Schools, Promise Academy Charter School and KIPP Schools.  

SPECIAL REMARKS BY

ERIC HOLDER

Defender of American Rights

U.S. Congressman John Lewis was eager to write about Eric Holder for Time magazine's list of The 100 Most Influential People. He called Mr. Holder "the justice seeker" who defended our freedoms and values and "worked tirelessly to ensure equal justice."

Mr. Holder served as the 82nd Attorney General of the United States from 2009-2015. He served in government for 30 years for Presidents Obama, Clinton, and Reagan. Currently, Mr. Holder is Senior Counsel at Covington and Burling.

WHAT DOES YOUR SUPPORT MEAN?

Your generous donation creates opportunities for students like Erica Davis, a 2011 Beavers Scholar who graduated from the University of Kansas, earning her Bachelor's in Social Welfare in 2016. She earned her Master's in Social Work in 2017 and is now a Clinical Counselor at Maya Angelou Public Charter School in Washington, DC's Ward 7. Erica is the first person from her family to graduate from college, which is true for the overwhelming majority of our scholars.

"The Joseph A. Beavers Scholarship was the best thing that ever happened to me," says Ms. Davis. "It gave me the courage to grow in ways that I could not imagine. I am now a well-rounded, culturally humble and competent person, hungry for equality and equity. I am determined to seek justice and empower others."

You can help scholars like Erica Davis grow wings with your donation to UPO today.

Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center 

1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Washington, D.C. 20004

A concierge desk is located near each entrance door for additional assistance.

HOW TO GET THERE: CLICK HERE

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SECURITY NOTE 

Please plan to arrive early! There are metal detectors at the entrances which will slow your arrival. Also: If you park in the building, your car will have a security check when you drive in (they want to look through the car, check the trunk, etc.).