Civil rights pioneer Carlotta Walls LaNier, the youngest member of the “The Little Rock Nine,” will tell the story of her participation in a pivotal moment of civil rights history in a talk on the campus of the University of California, Riverside on Wednesday, January 22.
LaNier will speak from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Highlander Union Building (HUB) Room 302. Doors open at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but there will be a $5 charge for parking.
“We are thrilled to welcome a civil rights legend to our campus,” said Ken Simons, director of African Student Programs. “It isn’t often that you have the opportunity to hear a voice that you have read about in a history book. Carlotta Walls LaNier’s story is history brought to life. We expect a full house in HUB 302 for her appearance.”
LaNier chronicled her story in the book, “A Mighty Long Way, My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School.” Now a successful real estate broker, she has received the Congressional Gold Medal and the Spingarn Medal, is an inductee into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame and the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Northern Colorado.
Following the question and answer session, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Pi Epsilon, will hold a candlelight vigil in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the UCR Bell Tower.
The talk and vigil come two days after Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Jan. 20) and will kick off several weeks of events that will celebrate the 50th anniversary of his “I Have a Dream” speech, which was delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963.
“We have many exciting events planned for Black History Month in February, and beyond,” Simons said. “But I can think of no better way to kick off the schedule than with Carlotta Walls LaNier.”
The then 14-year-old LaNier was one of nine African American students to attend the previously all-White Little Rock Central High School in September, 1957, as part of a plan of gradual integration proposed by the Little Rock School District following the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision.
For more information on the event call (951) 827-4576.
