Wayne State University welcomes Van Jones, civil rights leader and CNN political correspondent, as the keynote speaker during its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Luncheon on Friday, Jan.15.
The event kicks off at 10 a.m. at the Max M. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward Avenue in Detroit.
Jones, former special advisor for green jobs for the White House Council on Environmental Quality, is the author of New York Times best-sellers The Green Collar Economy, the definitive book on green jobs, and Rebuild the Dream, a roadmap for progressives. Over the past two decades, Jones has founded four thriving social enterprises, advancing solutions to some of America’s toughest economic and environmental problems.
“We are delighted to have Van as this year’s keynote speaker,” said WSU Vice President of Government and Community Affairs Patrick O. Lindsey. “His commitment to social and environmental justice embodies Dr. King’s legacy of transformation. His career is a testament to how one person can inspire lasting change and empower others to make a difference.
In addition to the keynote address, the tribute includes a presentation of the Dr. Arthur L. Johnson Community Leadership Awards, which honor an individual and an organization whose contributions positively affect the community.
This year's recipients are Anthony Eid, Wayne State Student Senate director of public relations, and the Community Homeless Interprofessional Program Clinic, a free clinic voluntarily staffed by students of the Wayne State University School of Medicine, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and School of Social Work.
Tickets are $10 to attend the program only, $65 for the program and luncheon, and $500 for a 10-pack of program and luncheon tickets. Parking is free.
Net proceeds support Adopt-A-Classroom, a nationally recognized organization that invites the community into classrooms to increase opportunity for student success by empowering teachers with partnerships and funds to purchase much-needed supplies. In partnership with sponsors, Wayne State has adopted 40 classrooms and donated more than $40,000 to support the organization's local giving efforts.
The 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Luncheon is sponsored by DTE Energy, Pepsi and Mercedes Benz. Visit cardinal.wayne.edu/mlk for more information or to purchase tickets.
About DTE Energy
DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan. The DTE Energy portfolio includes non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, and energy marketing and trading. As one of Michigan's leading corporate citizens, DTE Energy is a force for growth and prosperity in the 450 Michigan communities it serves in a variety of ways, including philanthropy, volunteerism and economic progress. Information about DTE Energy is available at dteenergy.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.
Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 380 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 27,000 students.