'60s activist to lead MLK march

Active in the civil rights movement of the 1960s and now on the comedy-lecture circuit, Dick Gregory will lead Grand Valley's march to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The march will begin at 2 p.m. on Monday, January 20, in front of Zumberge Library and continue through the Allendale Campus to the Cook-DeWitt Center. Once inside, the ceremony continues with songs by Grand Valley's Gospel Choir and remarks by President Mark A. Murray and Gregory.

The 69-year-old Gregory was an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War and a proponent of civil rights. He helped forge the way for black comedians after securing a spot at the Playboy Club in Chicago in 1961. Gregory is the author of several books including 'From the Back of the Bus,' and 'Nigger: An Autobiography.' In the 1980s, he established Dick Gregory Health Enterprises and markets nutritional products.

While in Grand Rapids, Gregory will be the keynote speaker at the 17th Annual Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a celebration of King's legacy held at Grand Rapids Community College Fieldhouse. The free event will begin at 6:30 p.m. on January 20 and include songs and speeches. The celebration is sponsored by GVSU, GRCC's Diversity Learning Center, Bethany Christian Services, The Gecko Group, and IMDA Ministerial Alliance.

MLK Week continues on Tuesday, January 21, with storyteller Awele Makeba in a multi-discipline performance, 'Rage is Not A 1-Day Thing.' Makeba uses theater, oral history and music to tell the story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Her performance will begin at 7 p.m. in the Cook-DeWitt Center; admission is free. Makeba's visit is sponsored by the Multicultural Affairs Office, Women's Center, Black Student Union, and School of Communications.

Historic civil rights films will be shown from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, January 24, in the Grand River Room of the Kirkhof Center.

January 20
2 p.m.: Campus March through Grand Valley State University. Led by civil rights activist, comedian and author Dick Gregory. Allendale Campus.

6:30 p.m.: 17th Annual Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Citywide celebration of King's legacy includes songs, remarks. Grand Rapids Community College Fieldhouse.

January 21
7 p.m.: Storyteller Awele Makeba presents 'Rage is Not A 1-Day Thing.' Multi-discipline approach to tell the story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. GVSU Allendale Campus, Cook-DeWitt Center.

January 24
10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Historic civil rights films shown in the Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus.