Civil Rights Legend Julian Bond to Give UNCA Black History Month Keynote Address

Julian Bond

NAACP Chairman and civil rights legend Julian Bond will give the UNC Asheville Black History Month keynote address at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at UNCA’s Lipinsky Auditorium. A reception will follow. Bond’s talk, "Affirmative Action: The Just Spoils of a Righteous War," will examine the historical ramifications of the 1954 landmark case of Brown vs. Board of Education. The event is free and open to the public; no tickets are required but parking and seating will be limited.

"Julian Bond has dedicated his life to the pursuit of social justice and to the core proposition that the dignity of every individual should be both celebrated and respected," said UNCA Chancellor Jim Mullen. "It will be an honor to welcome him to our campus."

Bond has served as NAACP chairman since 1998. He is a distinguished professor at American University and a professor of history at the University of Virginia.

Bond first came to public prominence in 1961 as a founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and as an organizer of Atlanta’s first sit-ins. He remained politically active and was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1965. However, Bond was prevented from taking his seat by members who objected to his opposition of the Vietnam War. He was re-elected to his own vacant seat, unseated again, and seated only after a third election and a unanimous decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. Bond was also nominated for vice president of the United States in 1968 but had to decline because he was too young.

Upon its founding in 1971, Bond became the president of the Southern Poverty Law Center and continues to serve that organization today as president emeritus. Bond is a former host and current commentator on "America’s Black Forum," the oldest black-owned syndicated television show. Additionally, Bond has narrated numerous documentaries including the Academy Award-winning "A Time for Justice" and the critically acclaimed PBS series, "Eyes on the Prize."

"To me, Julian Bond exemplifies what it means to endeavor for excellence in the larger society by striving to improve himself and his local community," said Genessa Jagdeo, UNCA junior literature major and member of UNCA’s Black Student Association. "His work for gaining equality for African Americans in the United States by being a part of SNCC has inspired me and many others to search for the same, even if it is on a smaller scale."

UNCA sponsors for Bond’s talk include the Office of the Chancellor, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, Office of Student Activities, Multicultural Student Programs, Black Student Association and Nucleus. Community sponsors are the YMI Cultural Center Inc. and the Asheville Branch of the NAACP.

"Flower Vendor" by Harry Davis oil on canvas, 30x36"

An art exhibition by noted African American artist Harry Davis will be on display following Bond’s talk from 2-8 p.m. in the Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall. Davis’ oil paintings, serigraphs and limited edition prints will also be on view from 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7.

Davis, a Wilmington resident, has become a noted painter of African and rural Southern life. His works are held in the collections of Halle Berry, James Brown, Bill Cosby and Denzel Washington, among others. His painting, "The Pipe Player," was singled out by U.S. Art Gallery magazine recently as a notable work.

For more information, call UNCA’s Student Activities Office at 828/232-5000.

Media Contacts:

• Merianne Epstein, UNCA Public Information Director, 828/251-6676
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526