FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS — The 2015-16 Steward Speakers Lecture Series kicks off Thursday with the “State of Black America Town Hall — Indianapolis Edition” at 7 p.m. at the Pike Performing Arts Center, 6701 N. Zionsville Rd.
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis is the title sponsor for this season of the lecture series, which was started by Matthew Steward and is now in its 30th year. The Steward Speakers Series provides continuous education and awareness to Indianapolis residents interested in empowerment topics. The program allows the community to create dialogue on important issues of the day with celebrities, leaders and experts in particular fields.
IUPUI Chancellor Nasser H. Paydar will deliver the welcoming remarks for the kickoff event, which will feature national leaders examining the state of black America and how Indianapolis can localize and adapt national best practices for addressing related issues.
The focus on the state of black America is timely, says Vernon Williams, communication and engagement strategist in the IUPUI Office of Community Engagement. Williams is coordinating campus involvement for this year’s Steward Series.
“It is an incredibly timely and important discussion,” Williams said. “It is important to the nation and very important to our community, especially given some of the transitions of leadership with the loss of community stalwarts such as Bill Mays, Bill Crawford and Amos Brown.”
“What makes this symposium even more unique is the fact that Matthew Steward is not only having the discussion on Thursday, but he is also facilitating future follow-up breakout sessions that will focus on advancing issues that emerge from the town hall. The objective is to explore and enact action-oriented strategies for change,” Williams said.
The symposium theme also ties in with the local “Your Life Matters” campaign being promoted by Indiana Black Expo and a consortium of community nonprofits and corporations.
Panelists for Thursday’s town hall are:
- Jamal-Harrison Bryant, founder and pastor of Empowerment Temple AME Church, Baltimore, Md.
- Gary, Ind., Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson
- Publisher and businessman George C. Fraser
- Broadcast journalist Ed Gordon
- Comedian and activist Dick Gregory
Tickets are $15 and available online and at the Pike Performing Arts Center.
Season tickets for the 2015-16 Steward Lecture Series are also available online.
This season’s lectures feature:
- Rapper and actor Common, 7 p.m. Feb. 22, Marriott Downtown, 350 W. Maryland St.
- Attorney and former “The View” co-host Star Jones, 7 p.m. March 7, IUPUI Campus Center, Room 450, 420 University Blvd.
- Philosopher and social critic Cornel West, 7 p.m. Apr. 8, Ivy Tech Community College, 2820 N. Meridian St.
IUPUI’s continued support of the lecture series is reflective of the community engagement for which the campus has consistently received national recognition. Expanding that engagement is a priority for his first year as chancellor, Paydar has said.