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Dr. Kim Vaz-Deville, an author, educator and community activist in New Orleans, will present a keynote address as part of Allegheny College’s weeklong celebration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The free, public talk will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m. in Ford Chapel on the Allegheny campus.

Vaz-Deville is the author of “The ‘Baby Dolls’: Breaking the Race and Gender Barriers of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Tradition” published by Louisiana State University Press in 2013. She is associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and a professor of education at Xavier University of Louisiana. In addition, she is passionate about community engagement, spirituality, food altar traditions, Mardi Gras cuisine and expressive arts.

In addition to Vaz-Deville’s talk, other public events during the week include:

• The Unity Shabbat Celebration on Friday, Jan. 19, at 5 p.m. in the Jewish Community Center. Join members of Hillel and the Meadville community for a celebration of the legacy of Dr. King and fellowship with one another.
• The Martin Luther King Jr. Inter-Religious Service on Sunday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. in Ford Chapel. This is an interfaith service focusing on reflections about Dr. King’s legacy. Allegheny students and Meadville community members will perform readings and music, and deliver messages centering on Dr. King’s commitment to activism.

The theme of the weeklong celebration of the life of Dr. King on the Allegheny campus is: “Beloved Community: Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend. Our ultimate end must be the creation of the Beloved Community.”

For more information, contact the Allegheny College Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Social Justice (IDEAS) Center at (814) 332-2718.

Photo by Irving Johnson III