Keynote Speaker Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
4 p.m./Sunday, April 24, 2022
The Marygrove Conservancy/Detroit, Michigan
Keynote Speaker: Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
Securing Our Democracy Books Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit: Parker Palmer, Jossey-Bass, [2011] Merge Left: Fusing Race and Class, Winning Elections, and Saving America, Ian Haney Lopez, The New Press, 2019. American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America, Chris Hedges: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/American-Fascists/Chris-Hedges/9780743284462 […]
The Michigan Coalition for Human Rights (MCHR) has proudly served as a communal change agent for over forty years, expanding its vision overtime, to promote awareness of, commitment to, and advocacy for human rights and the environmental rights of planet Earth, through education, community organization, and action. Many of you are aware of the important work that MCHR participates in to help the oppressed, the vulnerable, the poor, the outcast, and to protect the environment; opposing forces that suppress human dignity, freedom, and justice. This commitment is ever present today through MCHR’s community involvement, committed boards, staff and most importantly, supporters and allies like you who make it all possible. As we reflect on all that these forty plus years have afforded us, we wholeheartedly acknowledge that our measured success heavily relies on societal interconnectedness and reciprocated support. The photos above tell a story, and imparts a glimpse of MCHR moments, all of which you have helped shape. Where would we be without you?!
Writer, teacher, preacher, and justice advocate, Reverend Jim Wallis is the founder of Sojourners and a New York Times bestselling author. He is a widely recognized public theologian, renowned speaker, and regular international commentator on ethics and public life. Jim’s new book, Christ in Crisis will be promoted during the event!
Long-time MCHR board member Abayomi Azikiwe has been named as the 2021 recipient of the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights Bishop H. Coleman McGehee Champion of Justice Award. Abayomi, who joined the MCHR Board of Directors in 2006, is an author, a journalist, editor of the Pan-African News Wire and one of the Detroit area’s most well-known human rights activists and commentators.
In receiving the award at MCHR’s recent 2021 Founders’ Day celebration (an online event), Abayomi accepted the award and delivered the following remarks:
“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this year’s Bishop H. Coleman McGehee Champion of Justice Award from the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights.
During the early months of 2006, some 16 years ago, I was asked by Dr. Gloria House, who is also a speaker for this event, to join the Board of Directors of MCHR…”
Click here to view full text of Abayomi’s statement.
