This year, the Dallas Institute's annual MLK Symposium addressed an aspect of Dr. King's legacy in danger of being forgotten today--the social and cultural conditions not only in the deep South but throughout the U.S. that led to the Civil Rights struggles of the 1950's and 1960's. Our 2012 program--"The World Dr. King Inherited and Changed"--featured Isabel Wilkerson as keynote speaker, the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Journalism for Individual Reporting and author of The Warmth of Other Suns, which dramatically chronicles one of the untold stories of American history: the "great migration" of black citizens who fled the South and Jim Crow laws from 1915 to 1970 in search of a better life.
Panelists were Dr. Carol François and Dr. Robert Green. Dr. Carol François is a career educator, having served over the years as Teacher, Principal, Dean of Instruction, Chief of Staff of Dallas ISD, and Associate Commissioner of Education for the State of Texas. A longtime resident of Dallas, she is originally from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, as a result of the Great Migration.
Dr. Robert Green is Professor Emeritus and a former Dean at Michigan State University who worked in the 1960's for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as Education Director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He is the son of a minister who migrated to Detroit to work for Henry Ford.
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"Last night was truly a beautiful gathering. I was especially awed by the keynote speaker, Isabel Wilkerson. Her language was passionate, poetic, and wise. I felt I gained more knowledge, yes, but also a great memory of the night I celebrated Martin Luther King's life and legacy with hundreds of other passionate people." - Jess
"The audience was visibly moved and you could tell by the length of the book signing line what a profound impact Isabel had on everyone there." - Emily
"I was struck with Ms. Wilkerson's use of the word "caste" for slavery in the US. I normally think of India when that word is used, so it was a harsh reminder of what was going on here long after the Civil War. I take away a sense of responsibility to consider the sacrifice of those who won their freedom the hard way."-Gary
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We would like to thank all of our sponsors for making this program possible.
Presenting Sponsors
Other Underwriters
Mr. and Mrs. John R. Castle, Jr. , Mr. and Mrs. J. McDonald Williams, Dr. Nancy Cain Marcus Community Cosponsors African American Museum,
Thanks to our Friends at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.
