The free event will begin at 7 p.m. in the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Auditorium.  Following the keynote, Wise will participate in a book signing for all attendees.

The College of Education, University Program Council, Multicultural Programs, the Office of Diversity, Access, and Equity, African-American Studies, the Department of Residence Life, United Campus Ministry and International Studies are sponsoring the event.

Wise is among the most prominent anti-racist writers and activists in the United States. He is the author of "White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son" and "Affirmative Action: Racial Preference in Black and White." A collection of his essays, "Speaking Treason Fluently: Anti-Racist Reflections from an Angry White Male," was published in fall 2008 and his fourth book, "Between Barack and a Hard Place: Race and Whiteness in the Age of Obama," will be released in spring 2009.

He has spoken in 48 states and on over 400 college campuses, including Harvard, Stanford and the Law Schools at both Yale and Columbia.

Wise has provided anti-racism training to teachers nationwide, and has trained physicians and medical industry professionals on how to combat racial inequities in health care. He has also trained corporate, government, entertainment, military and law enforcement officials on methods for dismantling racism in their institutions, and has served as a consultant for plaintiff's attorneys in federal discrimination cases in New York and Washington State.

-- From staff reports