The University of Michigan’s 2025 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium began with a compelling message for activists continuing King’s fight against systemic inequities. Keynote speaker Erika Alexander, known for her work as an actress, director, and activist, urged young activists to persevere. “Get on with it. Don’t overthink it,” Alexander advised. She encouraged them to remain undeterred by life’s disappointments and to persist beyond initial successes.
The symposium started on January 20 with Alexander in conversation with Daphne C. Watkins, a University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor. The event, held at Hill Auditorium, was also available via livestream. Now in its 39th year, the MLK Symposium celebrates King’s enduring legacy. This year’s theme, “Restless Dissatisfaction: An Urgent Call for the Pursuit of Justice and Equality,” will be explored through over 25 on-campus events.
This theme draws inspiration from King’s 1964 Nobel Peace Prize speech and his 1967 “Where Do We Go from Here” address. King encouraged people to maintain “divine dissatisfaction” to achieve justice and equality. The keynote event was co-sponsored by the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives and the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, with support from the William K. McInally Memorial Lecture Fund.
Tabbye Chavous, chief diversity officer, emphasized the importance of confronting various forms of injustice and bridging societal gaps. “Dr. King’s words compel us to confront injustice in all its forms — racial, economic and social,” Chavous stated. The symposium reaffirms a commitment to justice, equity, and inclusion. Laurie McCauley, provost and executive vice president, noted progress since the civil rights era but acknowledged persistent racism and inequality in society.
Alexander has been featured in films and series like “Living Single” and “Get Out.” She co-directed PBS’s “The Big Payback” and co-produced the Emmy-nominated “John Lewis: Good Trouble.” Alexander serves on the board of One Fair Wage and supports social justice groups such as The Poor People’s Campaign and the NAACP. Her discussion with Watkins highlighted the significance of community, resilience in adversity, and storytelling for social change.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Alexander described how community support was crucial during her childhood in Flagstaff, Arizona. “I spent my whole life living what Tennessee Williams calls … ‘by the kindness of strangers,’” she shared. Her diverse community included Navajo, Hopi, Mexican, and German Lutheran neighbors. Alexander emphasized the importance of adaptability for marginalized individuals, describing herself as a “shape shifter.”
She cited the “Maxine Shaw effect,” referring to her influential character on “Living Single,” which inspired many young people to pursue higher education. Alexander has developed an educational curriculum to harness this influence and inspire future leaders. The symposium concluded with a performance by writer and artist Cherise Morris, interpreting her upcoming book, “the cosmic matter of Black lives.”
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