WHO: Donna Brazile, former Chair of the Democratic National Committee and New York Times best-selling author. Brazile was the first African American woman to serve as the manager of a major party presidential campaign when she served in Vice President Al Gore’s campaign in 2000. O, The Oprah Magazine chose Brazile as one of its 20 “remarkable visionaries†for the magazine’s first-ever O Power List. In addition, she has been named among the 100 Most Powerful Women by Washingtonian magazine, Top 50 Women in America by Essence magazine and has received the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s highest award for political achievement.
WHAT: USI’s largest ever Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Luncheon, sponsored by the USI Foundation and the USI Multicultural Center. This year’s event has drawn nearly 500 participants, making it the largest in the event’s 24-year history. The event will include remarks from USI president Dr. Ronald Rochon, performances by the USI Designed by Grace Gospel Choir and the Children’s Center for Dance Education, and a keynote address by Brazile. Following the luncheon, Brazile will hold a book signing and a question-and-answer session for attendees.
WHEN: 11 a.m. Monday, January 21 – A book signing and Q&A session will follow. Three books will be available for purchase at the event through the USI Campus Store.
WHERE: Carter Hall, located in University Center West. A map of campus that includes University Center and all parking lots can be found at USI.edu/map. Additional overflow seating will be located in University Center East.
PARKING: A limited amount of media parking will be available in Lot N on a first come first served basis.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Brazile will address the media at 10:40 a.m. in University Center room 226, located next Carter Hall. Please contact Ben Luttrull, media relations specialist, at 812-461-5259 or bluttrull@usi.edu if you plan to attend.
KEYNOTE RECORDING: Out of respect for the speaker, all media will be limited to two (2) minutes of recording time for the keynote address. All other events are free and open for recording and rebroadcast. Still photography is welcome at any time.
PARKING SHUTTLE: Shuttle service will be available from Lot C and Lot I to the University Center.
