Ericka Huggins, a human rights activist, Black Panther leader, and former political prisoner, will be delivering a keynote speech at Gustavus Adolphus College on Tuesday, February 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Alumni Hall. The lecture is free and open to the public.
During the lecture, Huggins will reflect on her own life experiences and her leadership in the Black Panther Party to discuss the organization of grassroots social justice movements. The talk is titled, “Igniting a Grassroots movement in the 21st Century.”
“Huggins has devoted her life to the equality of all—beyond the boundaries of age, culture, class, gender, sexual orientation or ability,” said Assistant Director of Diversity and the Multi-Cultural Office Kenneth Reid. “Aligning with our College’s values of service, justice, and community, her keynote will focus on discussing the true history of the Black Panther Movement, what we can learn from their work around organizing and service to the community, and how to build community-based, grassroots movements to advance issues of social justice.”
Presenting throughout the country and internationally for the past 30 years, Huggins has also used her expertise and unique experiences to educate on issues relating to physical and emotional well-being of women, children and youth, whole-being education, over-incarceration, and the role of spiritual practices in sustaining activism as well as promoting change.
The lecture is sponsored by the Gustavus Diversity Center, the Chaplains’ Office, the Peace Studies Program, the Department of Political Science, and the Diversity Leadership Council.
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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication Luc Hatlestad
luch@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510