The Barbara Lee & Elihu Harris LECTURE SERIES

This lecture series promotes an ample exchange of ideas to help inspire and move forward new leadership and servantship. All lectures present Civil Rights leaders who worked closely with Dr. King, and who continue to work tirelessly for social justice.The lecture series recognizes the social justice vision, leadership and accomplishments of Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Elihu M. Harris.

Dr. Dorothy Cotton and Rev. C.T. Vivian Dr. Bob Zellner and Jack O’Dell Thursday, October 20th, 2011 7 pm Thursday, February 9th, 2012 7 pm Oakland Marriott Hotel

Dr. Dorothy Cotton served with Dr. King as an Dr. Bob Zellner accompanied Dr. King in executive staff member of the Southern Christian organizing youth and students for the movement. Leadership Conference (SCLC). She was the Education Dr. Zellner served as the first white field secretary Director of SCLC for twelve years. Dr. Cotton, upon the for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee assassination of Dr. King, assisted Coretta Scott King (SNCC). He was one of the leaders of the Freedom in the establishment of the King Center for Nonviolent Rides and the Mississippi Freedom Summer of 1964. Social Change. She was the Director of Student Activites He has recently published a memoir, The Wrong Side at Cornell University. Currently she is organizing the of Murder Creek, A White Southerner in the Freedom National Citizenship School. Movement.

Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian, a close friend of Dr. King and Jack Hunter O’Dell began organizing in the executive committee member of the Southern Christian National Maritime Union during WWII. As the Leadership Conference, began his commitment to civil Director of Voter Education for SCLC, Mr. O’Dell rights in Peoria, IL in sit-in demonstrations, successfully coordinated directly with Dr. King. After Dr. King’s integrating Barton’s Cafeteria in 1947. Later, he helped assasination, Mr. O’Dell went to Chicago with Jesse organize the Nashville lunch counter sit-ins that initiated Jackson and helped create Operation PUSH, and student involvement in the movement. He became a later the National Rainbow Coalition. Mr. O’Dell leader in the Congress of Racial Equality and rode the was an editor of the quarterly journal, Freedomways. first Freedom Riders bus into Jackson, MS. Vivian He served as Board Chair of Pacifica Radio, and worked with Dr. King beginning in 1961 and helped on the board of the national nuclear disarmament direct organizing in Birmingham, Selma, Chicago & the organization, SANE FREEZE. March on Washington. Student Forums, Thurs, October 20, 12Noon Student Forum Thurs, February 9, 12Noon Ms. Cotton, Mills College, Student Lounge Dr. Zellner and Mr. O’Dell Rev. Vivian, Merritt College, Student Lounge Merritt College, Student Lounge Congressman John Lewis April date TBA, 2012 7 pm Congressman John Lewis (GA-05), as Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, coordinated with Dr. King mobilizing students and connecting them to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. At the historic March on Washington in 1963, Lewis spoke along with Dr. King. He is the only one of the ten speakers that day still living. In 1986, Lewis was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives where he continues to organize and lead. The Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi has called Congressman Lewis “the conscience of the U.S. Congress.” Student Forum with Congressman Lewis, Date TBA, 12Noon, Merritt College, Student Lounge All Public Lectures General Admission: $10 Students and Seniors: $5

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) is a forceful Elihu M. Harris served as Mayor of Oakland for two and progressive voice in Congress, dedicated to social terms, from 1991 to 1999. He was a 12 year member and economic justice, international peace, and civil and of the California State Assembly, during which time he human rights. Elected in 1998 to represent California’s authored the historic 1981 legislation designating Dr. 9th Congressional District, Lee formerly served in the King’s birthday a California state holiday. Mr. Harris CA State Assembly and the CA State Senate. She is the received an MA in Public Policy from UC Berkeley and immediate past chair of the Congressional Black Caucus law degree from UC Davis. He served as Chancellor and former co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. of the Peralta Community College District from 2003 to 2010.

A partnership between Major Sponsor Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center KAISER PERMANENTE www.mlkfreedomcenter.org www.merritt.edu 333 East 8th St, Oakland, CA 94606 510 587 7896 12500 Campus Drive Oakland, CA 94619 510 531 4911 www.merritt.edu