What does Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of the “Beloved Community” have to do with the U.S. Constitution? East Tennessee State University invites the public to dive into that question during a conversation with Adam Dickson, supervisor of the Langston Centre, and remarks by Dr. Gregg Ivers on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m.

The program explores the connection between King’s vision of a “Beloved Community” and its connection to the Constitution.  

Ivers is an award-winning professor of government at American University in Washington, D.C., and holds degrees from Emory University and the University of Missouri. An author and editor of eight books, he served as co-editor of the Constitutionalism and Democracy Series published by the University of Virginia Press for two decades. He is also a current member of the academic advisory board for The History Makers, the largest digital archive of African American Oral History in the world. In addition, Ivers founded the Julian Bond Oral History Project and the Hidden Civil Rights History YouTube Channel.

This event, hosted in collaboration with the Langston Centre, is free and open to the public.

In addition, the university is hosting several events, including informal discussions on campus and two Days of Service, with a focus on “King’s Beloved Community and the U.S. Constitution,” giving students, faculty and staff an opportunity to reflect and serve while honoring King’s legacy.

“Dr. King challenged us to build a society rooted in justice, dignity and shared responsibility,” said Nate Tadesse, assistant director of Student Activities. “This program invites our community to reflect on that vision through the lens of the Constitution and our civic life today.”

As the flagship institution of Appalachia, ETSU works to engage the community in thoughtful discussions, bring renowned experts to the area and improve the quality of life for the people of the region and beyond.

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