Donzaleigh Abernathy, renowned civil rights activist, actress, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s godchild, along with Derrick Johnson, the 19th president and CEO of the NAACP, will headline the University of Michigan’s 2026 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium Keynote Memorial Lecture on Jan. 19. This significant event commemorates the 40th anniversary of the symposium, with the theme “Unbowed and Unbroken — The Enduring Struggle for Justice.” The lecture will start at 10 a.m. at Hill Auditorium and will be livestreamed.
Angela Dillard, interim vice provost for access and opportunity, remarked on the theme’s emphasis on resilience, stating, “Being ‘unbowed and unbroken’ speaks to qualities of resilience necessary for those who would undertake intergenerational change.” The symposium, a cornerstone of U-M’s commitment to civil rights, aims to inspire clarity of vision and hope in the ongoing fight for justice.
King’s speeches often highlighted justice as a journey of perseverance. In a pivotal 1967 speech, he noted the challenges ahead before reaching the “promised land.” Abernathy’s upbringing amidst civil rights milestones, like the March on Washington and Selma to Montgomery March, profoundly shaped her. She authored “Partners to History,” earning accolades from the American Library Association and contributed to the Smithsonian Institute’s “In the Spirit of Martin.”
Donzaleigh Abernathy
Abernathy, daughter of civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy, faced early challenges like the bombing of her family home. Her involvement in key civil rights movements underscored her lifelong dedication. Notable achievements include her play “Birmingham Sunday,” which won the Tanne Foundation Award, and her memorable introduction of Rosa Parks at the Montgomery Bus Boycott’s 45th anniversary.
Derrick Johnson
Derrick Johnson, a seasoned civil rights leader and NAACP president, has spearheaded significant initiatives. Under his leadership, the NAACP launched the 2018 “Log Out” campaign for social media accountability and the 2020 “We Are Done Dying” campaign addressing systemic inequities. Johnson’s leadership was pivotal in the Supreme Court victory in NAACP v. Trump, protecting the DACA program.
Johnson’s contributions have revitalized the NAACP, ensuring its ongoing relevance in contemporary struggles for justice. Sharon Burch, interim co-director of the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, emphasized the importance of connecting past civil rights movements with current challenges, acknowledging the persistent courage of past U-M students.
Four decades honoring MLK
The annual MLK symposium, a result of student activism from the late 1980s, is coordinated by OAMI under the Vice Provost of Access and Opportunity. Each year’s theme, chosen by the MLK planning committee, addresses pressing social and political issues, drawing inspiration from King’s values and leadership. As one of the nation’s largest university celebrations of King, the symposium’s keynote address is a pivotal event, complemented by a variety of campus activities that foster engagement with the theme. Departments can submit event details for inclusion on the MLK symposium’s website.
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