'We Are Called to Be a Movement": William J. Barber to Deliver Keynote Address

Rev. Dr. William Barber II

Rev. Dr. William Barber II

Celebrated author, social activist, minister headlines Black History Month at Dickinson

By Supasinee Siripun '27

The Rev. William J. Barber II will deliver Dickinson’s Black History Month keynote address, We Are Called to Be a Movement. The lecture will take place on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. in the Anita Tuvin Schlechter Auditorium (ATS), 360 W. Louther St. The event is free and open to the public. The keynote address will also be livestreamed and available via a link at clarkeforum.org. A book signing will follow the lecture.*

Barber asserts that it is time for change and togetherness. In this address, he will explore how the American people can overcome the politics of rejection, division and greed, collectively uplift the disadvantaged, and revive democracy. In this time of change, Barber argues, it is up to us to heed the call to move to higher ground.

Barber is president of Repairers of the Breach and a co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign. He is a New York Times bestselling author of multiple books, including White Poverty: How Exposing Myths About Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy and We Are Called to Be a Movement. He is also a professor at Yale Divinity School. By relaunching the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Poor People’s Campaign, Barber unites people of all walks of life in a fight against poverty. He has earned national acclaim for his Moral Monday movements, dedicating himself to uplifting those impacted by systematic racism, poverty and injustice.

Barber’s efforts have been recognized through accolades including the 2018 MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Grant; the North Carolina Award, the state's highest civilian honor; the 2015 Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Award; and 12 honorary doctorates. Barber has also given national keynotes, including at the 2016 Democratic National Convention and the homily at the 59th inaugural prayer service for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

This program is sponsored by Dickinson’s Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues. For additional information, please visit clarkeforum.org or email clarkeforum@dickinson.edu.

*Copies of Barber's most recent book, White Poverty: How Exposing Myths About Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy, will be available for purchase at Whistlestop Bookshop ahead of the keynote address. Event attendees may stop by Whistlestop Bookstore during their regular business hours to buy the book beginning Feb. 13. To claim a copy or to check availability, interested persons may call Whistlestop at 717-243-4744 or email info@whistlestoppers.com.

Learn about all February 2025 Clarke Forum events.

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Published January 31, 2025