December 22, 2009

Cooley Law School's Lansing Campus Announces 2010 MLK Day Celebration

Keith Boykin, Keynote speaker 2010 MLK Day Events

Officials at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School's Lansing campus today announced that Keith Boykin, the editor of The Daily Voice online news site, a CNBC contributor, a BET TV host and a New York Times best-selling author, will be the keynote speaker at its Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration on Monday, January 18.

The presentation, which is open to students, faculty and the public, will be held at 5 p.m. in the Cooley Law School Auditorium on the 6th floor of the Temple Building, 217 S. Capitol Ave.

As initiated by Cooley President and Dean Don LeDuc, each year in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Cooley’s classes are suspended and students, faculty, and staff devote the day to study, reflection, and programs on the role of law and lawyers in protecting the rights of minorities and assuring equal protection under law.

In 2010, the theme, Continuing the Dream, will address how Martin Luther King's belief in equality and justice for all can be applied to the current legal and social challenges we face as a nation, said Goldie Adele, Cooley’s coordinator of student services and diversity programs.

Boykin is a long-time advocate for progressive causes, has worked on numerous political campaigns and has appeared on national media programs including Anderson Cooper 360° and The O’Reilly Factor. He attended Dartmouth and Harvard, where he was a classmate of President Barack Obama, and he has served as a special assistant to President Bill Clinton.

He is the founder and first board member of the National Black Justice Coalition, and has written three books: Beyond the Down Low: Sex, Lies and Denial in Black America, Respecting the Soul and One More River to Cross. Born and raised in St. Louis, Mo., Boykin currently lives in New York City and is working on his fourth book.

Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the nation. Founded in 1972, the private, non-profit law school operates J.D. programs across Michigan in Lansing, Auburn Hills, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor. Today, Cooley Law School has nearly 14,000 graduates across the nation and worldwide and also offers joint degree and master of laws programs. Cooley offers enrollment three times a year; in January, May and September. Additional information about Cooley can be found at cooley.edu.