Internationally Renowned Speaker Naomi Tutu Speaks at VSU's MLKCelebration

VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University's Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Multicultural Affairs will host the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, in the University Center Magnolia Room.

Nontumbi Naomi Tutu, third child of South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nomalizo Leah Tutu will provide the keynote address regarding Dr. King's efforts towards advancing human rights and social justice. Tutu is an internationally recognized speaker, human rights activist and consultant on gender, race and international relations. She is a consultant to the Spiritual Alliance to Stop Intimate Violence and the foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa and former chairperson of the Tutu Foundation, through which she supported South African refugees in African countries. Tutu serves as associate director of the Office of International Relations and Programs at Tennessee State University and was formerly the program coordinator of the Race Relations Institute at Fisk University in Tennessee.

"Naomi has a very unique perspective," EOP Director Maggie Viverette said. "After growing up in South Africa and attending college in the United States, she has the dual perspective of seeing the history and progress of social justice in both countries."

Members of the VSU and local communities are invited to the free event and reception. Call the EOP office at (229) 333-5463 for more information.