LeVar Burton to speak at OHIO on March 3 as part of Kennedy Lecture Series

LeVar Burton

The Ohio University Kennedy Lecture Series will present “An Evening with LeVar Burton,” on Tuesday, March 3.

An award-winning actor, writer, producer and director, as well as a renowned literacy advocate, Burton is an internationally known master of storytelling.

Burton launched his acting career while still a student at the University of Southern California. At 19, he found himself on the cover of TIME Magazine after landing the groundbreaking role of Kunta Kinte in the landmark television series “Roots. “A seemingly impossible act to follow, Burton achieved further global acclaim as Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge in the iconic "Star Trek: The Next Generation" television series, a role he reprised in "Star Trek: Picard" in 2023.

However, it has been his role as host and executive producer of the beloved PBS children's series "Reading Rainbow" of which he is most proud. Airing from 1983 to 2009, it was not only one of the longest-running children's television shows in history but also one of the most acclaimed, earning over 200 awards, including multiple Emmys and a Peabody.

As the honored recipient of six NAACP Awards, a Peabody, a Grammy, and 14 Emmys, Burton was awarded the National Humanities Medal by the National Endowment of the Humanities at a ceremony in the Oval Office. Honored for his contributions to literacy in America, Burton continues his focus on the importance of literature and storytelling in our everyday lives and is a staunch advocate against the banning of books.

Burton will speak at Ohio University beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Baker University Center Ballroom on March 3. All members of the OHIO community are invited to this event. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, please see the Kennedy Lecture Series website.