Nazareth University

« Back to Recent News

Nazareth Celebrates MLK Jr. Holiday with Keynote Address by Danielle Ponder, Jan. 22

Rochester, NY (01/14/2020) — Nazareth College's celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday takes place on Wednesday, January 22, and will be centered around the theme Finding Our Power to Make a Difference: Racial Healing and Restorative Justice. The keynote speaker is Danielle Ponder, J.D., a well-known musician, attorney, and activist. She will also perform "Lift Every Voice" with the campus. The commemoration takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Nazareth College Arts Center's Callahan Theater, 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, N.Y., 14618. Classes are suspended and staff offices are closed during this time. The events are free and open to the public.

The commemoration will feature performances by student recipients of the 2020 MLK Visual and Performing Arts Awards. Diego Mejia Cordova is the winner of the Music Category and Dwight Young in the Theatre/Dance Category.

Ponder teaches Legal Rights of the Disadvantaged in the Department of African American Studies at The State University of New York College at Brockport. At Northeastern University, where she received her juris doctorate, Ponder was awarded the prestigious Public Interest Law scholarship. She worked for five years at the Monroe County Public Defender's office, where she provided criminal defense to indigent defendants. She has dedicated the past 15 years to organizing and speaking up for marginalized communities. Ponder has worked on issues such as education funding and women's rights, and has spent the past eight years working for criminal justice reform.

Evening Conversation featuring Simeon Banister

That night, Nazareth welcomes Simeon Banister, along with Nazareth President Daan Braveman and participants in the College's Civil Rights Solidarity and Social Justice Retreat, to converse around issues of systemic racism and restorative justice. The conversation is open to the public and takes place from 6 - 7 p.m. January 22 in the Shults Center Forum on the Nazareth campus.

Banister is the vice president of programs for the Rochester Area Community Foundation. He is also the owner of Legacy Advisory Services, LLC, a consulting firm that offers strategic planning and real estate consulting services. Recently, he led an innovative college student support project, Save for Success, a partnership between Monroe Community College, ESL Federal Credit Union, and the PathStone Corporation. He also serves as president of the Greater Rochester Martin Luther King Jr. Commission and serves on the boards of the Hillside Foundation and Genesee Land Trust.

Volunteer for MLK Day of Service

Saturday, January 25th, 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Kick-Off at East High School, 1801 Main St. E., Rochester, NY 14609

The MLK Day of Service is a way to transform Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and teachings into community action. On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects that strengthen communities, empower individuals, bridge barriers, and create solutions. Nazareth students are participating in the Rochester-wide "King for a Day" Service program. Community engagement options include youth development activities and an intergenerational dialogue about civil rights.

Copyright © 2025 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out