A prominent black history author, musician and professor, Nikitah Okembe-RA Imani, PhD, will lead Eastern Mennonite University’s commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. during university chapel on Monday, Jan. 19, at 10 a.m.
Okembe-RA Imani is chair and professor of the Department of Black Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He is also a veteran of more than 27 years of activism in Black nationalist and Pan-Africanist movements, dealing with race, class, gender, nationality, language and religion. He is ordained as a minister in both the Southern Baptist and African Orthodox churches and is also a consecrated African traditional priest of Amen-RA.
Okembe-RA Imani is the author of two books, The Agony of Education: Black Students at White Colleges and Universities (Routledge, 1996) and Head Games: De-Colonizing the Psychotherapeutic Process (University Press of America, 2010).
He previously taught sociology and Africana studies at James Madison University.
Schedule of events
Thursday, Jan. 15
8 p.m.: Movie and talk back – “To Kill a Mockingbird” (Common Grounds Coffeehouse)
Friday, Jan. 16
10-10:30 a.m.: Reading circles of MLK Jr. sermons and speeches. (Parkwoods Apartments Community Room, Cedarwood 2nd floor lounge, Northlawn Great Lounge, Campus Center Brunk Maust lounge, Seminary main lounge, Hartzler Library, Science Center rm. 104, University Commons student life lounge, Roselawn 200)
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Mix-it up at lunch. (Northlawn Dining Hall)
7-9 p.m.: Evening of service and visit to Tyrone Sprague’s barbershop. (Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, John Wesley United Methodist Church and Tyrone’s Barbershop) Vans depart from the University Commons main entrance at 6:30 p.m. To sign up for service, email Y-Serve or the Black Student Union at y-serve@emu.edu or emubsu1@gmail.com.
Saturday, Jan. 17
10 a.m. – 12 p.m., or 12-2 p.m.: Day of service and visit to Tyrone Sprague’s barbershop. (Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, John Wesley United Methodist Church, Blacks Run and Tyrone’s Barbershop) Vans depart from the University Commons main entrance at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. To sign up for service, email Y-Serve or the Black Student Union at y-serve@emu.edu or emubsu1@gmail.com.
Sunday, Jan. 18
11 a.m.: Community church service with Rev. Dr. Nikitah Okembe-RA Imani. (Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 184 Kelley Street, Harrisonburg) Vans depart from the University Commons main entrance at 10:30 a.m.
1 p.m.: Community lunch for church attendees. (John Wesley United Methodist Church, 425 Effinger Street, Harrisonburg)
Monday, Jan. 19
9:50-10 a.m.: “One Dream” Solidarity March
10-10:40 a.m.: MLK, Jr. Celebration Chapel with Rev. Dr. Nikitah Okembe-RA Imani, the EMU Gospel Choir and the Alpha Omega Dancers for Christ. (Lehman Auditorium)
10:45-11:30 a.m.: After chapel talk-back on dynamics of the prison industrial complex (Common Grounds Coffeehouse)
Tuesday, Jan. 20
7 p.m.: Food Drive for The Salvation Army, Our Community Place and Patchwork Pantry. Bring non-perishable food items to the men’s volleyball game at Yoder Arena in University Commons.
More info
Admission to all programs is free. For more information on activities related to Dr. King observances, or for a full schedule of events, visit emu.edu/mlk/ or call campus ministries at 540-432-4115.