Award-Winning David Oyelowo Serves as Keynote Speaker at the 28th Annual MLK Holiday Breakfast
MINNEAPOLIS (PRWEB) December 12, 2017 -- David Oyelowo, award-winning actor known for his critically acclaimed role in “Selma,” will serve as keynote speaker at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday breakfast on Monday, January 15, 2018 at the newly renovated Minneapolis Armory at 7:00 a.m. CST.
Organized in partnership by General Mills and UNCF (United Negro College Fund), the event’s theme is “Building Bridges for a Bold Dream” and celebrates achieving justice through empathy, understanding and actionable change. In remembrance of the 1948 graduate of HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Morehouse College, proceeds from the event will help deserving area students get to and through college and provide resources to UNCF-member institutions.
“We’re thrilled to have Mr. Oyelowo share his experience embodying and paying tribute to Dr. King through his masterful performance in ‘Selma,’” said Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF and fellow Morehouse HBCU alum. “This is an especially powerful year for the event, as it marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s tragic assassination. We honor his sacrifices when we teach the next generation about the act of giving back. By serving our communities, we build bridges to a better future for us all.”
The annual holiday breakfast began when UNCF and General Mills joined together to host a community celebration to honor the legacy of Dr. King. What started with 800 guests in 1991 has grown so large that it reached capacity seating at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The event is now hosted at the Minneapolis Armory. Past speakers have included former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, Rev. Joseph Lowery, the late Yolanda King, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Marian Wright Edelman, Donna Brazile, Vernon Jordan and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.
With the help of the community, including the Corporate Community Service Coalition, an organization made up of 100 volunteer employees from 14 Minnesota companies, the MLK holiday breakfast continues to inspire change in the world and honor those individuals whose footprint uplifts the community. This year’s Lifetime Legend award honoree is Adair Mosley, interim president and chief executive officer at Pillsbury United Communities. Mr. Mosley has played a key leadership role in the development of North Market, a new kind of grocery store that provides access to nutritious food, health care services, and community wellness education in North Minneapolis.
To purchase tickets, which are $50, or for more information on the 28th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday breakfast, please visit: MLKBreakfast.com.
The event will be broadcast live on Twin Cities Public Television at 8 a.m. CST.
About UNCF
UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 21 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.
About General Mills
General Mills is a leading global food company that serves the world by making food people love. Its brands include Cheerios, Annie's, Yoplait, Nature Valley, Fiber One, Häagen-Dazs, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills generated fiscal 2017 consolidated net sales of US $15.6 billion, as well as another US $1.0 billion from its proportionate share of joint-venture net sales.
Monique Lenoir, UNCF, http://www.uncf.org, +1 202.810.0231, [email protected]
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