Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Speakers and Guests

Timothy Brown — Brunch Keynote Speaker

Timothy Austin Brown is a ministry leader for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, author, educator and motivational speaker. Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and raised in East Cleveland, his mother shared with him and his siblings the sacrifices and opportunities that the Civil Rights Movement provided for the next generation.

Brown is a proud graduate of Ohio University. Through his continued support, he influenced many family members to join in attending OHIO, along with the establishment of the Brown-Fields Family Scholarship. The scholarship fund supports the Brothers RISE (Rallying to Inspire and Shape Education), an initiative designed to strengthen public education by recruiting students, particularly African American males, into teaching education.

Rev. Wheeler Parker

Reverend Wheeler Parker Jr. is the cousin and best friend of the late Emmett Till. He is also the last living witness to the kidnapping of Till. His memoir, “A Few Days Full of Trouble,” published by Random House, will be released January 10, 2023. The pursuit of justice in the lynching and brutal murder of his best friend and cousin on August 28, 1955 has been a central focal point of his mission and ministry for years. His journey to justice has included a relentless advocacy for truth, as he has been deeply disappointed by the many erroneous news, books and documentary reports that have been produced surrounding Till’s case. He has carried this commitment as a truth-bearer, with a message of love, forgiveness and reconciliation.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee Members

The Division of Diversity and Inclusion would like to thank the MLK Jr. Celebration committee members for their contributions — including their time and energy — that ensure the event's success.

2022-2023 Committee Members

Co-Chairs

• Travis Gatling – Professor, School of Dance, College of Fine Arts
  gatling@ohio.edu

• Vanessa Morgan Nai – Assistant Director, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
  morganv1@ohio.edu

Committee Members

• Dr. Salome Nnoromele – Interim Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

• Jesean Williams – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (representing members of the fraternity)

• Dr. Pam Kaylor – Professor of Instruction, Communication Studies and Women's Gender, & Sexuality Studies Department (Lancaster Campus)

• Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr. – Executive Director, Ohio Council of Churches

• Micah McCarey – Director, LGBT Center

• Nancy Edwards-Grady - Assistant Director, Career and Employer Engagement

• Tia Jameson – Assistant Athletics Director of Student-Athlete Development and Inclusion, Division of Athletics

• Elizabeth Pahl – Associate Director, University Event Services

• Courtney Lefebvre Little – Assistant Director, Center for Campus and Community Engagement

• Dr. Duane Bruce – Executive Director of the Division of Diversity and Inclusion

• Pat Bungard – Administrative Specialist, Division of Diversity and Inclusion

• Shayne Lopez – Athens County Foundation

• Lacey Rogers – DEI Coordinator, City of Athens

Past Committee Members

2021–2022

Co-Chairs

• Travis Gatling – Director, School of Dance, College of Fine Arts
  gatling@ohio.edu

• Vanessa Morgan Nai – Coordinator for Multicultural Advising and African American Student Success, Office for Multicultural Success and Retention
  morganv1@ohio.edu

Committee Members

• Dr. Gigi Secuban (Ex-Officio) – Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

• Jesean Williams – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (representing members of the fraternity)

• Dr. Pam Kaylor – Professor of Instruction, Communication Studies and Women's Gender, & Sexuality Studies Department (Lancaster Campus)

• Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr. – Executive Director, Ohio Council of Churches

• Micah McCarey – Director, LGBT Center

• Tia Jameson – Director of Women's Basketball Operations, Division of Athletics

• Elizabeth Pahl – Associate Director, University Event Services

• Courtney Lefebvre Little – Assistant Director, Center for Campus and Community Engagement

• Dr. Duane Bruce – Interim Assistant Director, Multicultural Center

• Pat Bungard – Administrative Services Associate, Office for Multicultural Student Access and Retention/Division of Diversity and Inclusion

2020–2021

Co-Chairs

• Travis Gatling – Director, School of Dance, College of Fine Arts
  gatling@ohio.edu

• Vanessa Morgan Nai – Coordinator for Multicultural Advising and African American Student Success, Office for Multicultural Student Access and Retention
  morganv1@ohio.edu

Committee Members

• Dr. Gigi Secuban (Ex-Officio) – Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

• Jaylen Braxton – President, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (representing members of the fraternity)

• Damon Scott – EBN Representative, College of Communication '89

• Dr. Pam Kaylor – Professor of Instruction, Communication Studies and Women's Gender, & Sexuality Studies Department (Lancaster Campus)

• Katie Beth Miksa – University Interfaith Association

• Dr. Paula Miller-Buckner – Assistant Professor, Sociology & Anthropology, College of Arts & Sciences

• Dr. Ebony Green – Assistant Dean for Advising & Student Services, University College

• Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr. – Executive Director, Ohio Council of Churches

• Micah McCarey – Director, LGBT Center

• Sheldon Andrus – Art Director, University Communications and Marketing

• Dr. Jason White – Associate Clinical Professor, School of Applied Health Sciences and Wellness, College of Health Sciences

• Tia Jameson – Director of Women's Basketball Operations, Division of Athletics

• Dr. Jason Rawls – Instructor of Teacher Education, Patton College of Education (Zanesville Campus)

• Pat Bungard – Administrative Services Associate, Office for Multicultural Student Access and Retention/Division of Diversity and Inclusion

2019–2020

Co-Chairs

• Tyrone Carr, Special Assistant to the Vice President for University Advancement/ Executive Director of The Interlink Alliance
  carrt@ohio.edu

• Tamika Williams, Assistant Director for Diversity and Inclusion, Career Network williat8@ohio.edu

Committee Members

• Student Representatives – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

• Caryn Bailey – Assistant Director of Development, Diversity & Inclusion, University Wide Initiatives Division of University Advancement 

• Dr. Winsome Chunnu – Director, Multicultural Center

• Dr. Theda Gibbs – Assistant Professor, Teacher Education

• Amanda Graham – Executive Assistant, Diversity and Inclusion

• Barbara Harrison – Assistant Director, Off-Campus Living

• Christopher Kennedy – Digital Designer, University Communications and Marketing

• George Mauzy – Multimedia Content Specialist, University Communications and Marketing

• Rev. Evan Young – Campus Minister, United Campus Ministry

• Lacey Rogers – Assistant Director, United Campus Ministry