Geoffrey Canada spoke on “Education Reform and Youth Empowerment” during the Martin Luther King Celebration on Jan. 21 in Memorial Chapel. Canada is president and CEO of Harlem Children's Zone, Inc., where he has become nationally recognized for his pioneering work helping children and as a passionate advocate for education reform.
Marina Melendez, dean for the Class of 2014, listens to Canada’s address. Canada was named one of "America's Best Leaders" by U.S. News and World Report in 2005.
Persephone Hall, associate director of employer relations for the Career Resource Center, sang “Precious Lord” following a screening of Dr. King’s 1964 Baccalaureate Address at Wesleyan. The song was King’s favorite hymn.
Wesleyan President Michael Roth and Geoffrey Canada applaud the Roadside Girls, a faculty and staff choir group, who performed at the celebration.
Canada’s presentation was supported by the Wesleyan Student Assembly, the Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development, the Office of Residential Life, the Office of Academic Affairs, the Office of Diversity and Strategic Partnerships and the Usdan University Center. (Photos by Emily Brackman ’11)
Olivia Drake
Mike Mavredakis
Ziba Kashef
Andrew Chatfield