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2020 Day of Celebration and Service Highlights
Program Featuring
Keynote Speaker - Kenja Hassan
As a Director of Cultural Relations in Arizona State University’s Office of Government and Community Engagement, Kenja Hassan works to develop a meaningful presence for ASU in diverse communities. Hassan launched the State of Black Arizona in 2008. Hassan holds a B.A. in Religion from Princeton University and a M.A. in Religious Studies from ASU, both emphasizing American Indian religious ties to land. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in ASU’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation to better understand and address health disparities, particularly how HIV impacts African Americans
Event Timeline
8:30 a.m. Light Breakfast - Limited to first 500 attendees
9:00 a.m. Program & Musial Performances
Service Project kick-off follows
How to get involved
- Sponsorships – If your business or organization would like to help sponsor the event, there are several opportunities. View sponsorship levels here. For more information, please contact Seth Dyson at seth.dyson@surpriseaz.gov.
- Individuals/Families – Join us for the breakfast, the program and the day of service; or come at 9:45 a.m. for the service project assignments. Projects may include food sorting, painting, landscaping, trash collection, etc. and will last 1-4 hours. Advanced registration is not required. Assignments will be given out at the event.
- Groups – If you plan on bringing your group/club/congregation and would like to participate in the service projects, please RSVP your group name and estimated number of people to Seth Dyson at seth.dyson@surpriseaz.gov.
- Service Project Ideas – If you would like to suggest service projects to complete, please contact Seth Dyson at seth.dyson@surpriseaz.gov.
For general questions or additional information, please contact Seth Dyson at seth.dyson@surpriseaz.gov .
Special Event: Lecture & Songs
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Performing Arts Center, Valley Vista High School, Lecture Hall
15550 N. Parkview Pl., Surprise
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Program
- Emcee Welcome - Paul Outlaw, Surprise MLK Advisory Committee Member
- Phoenix Women’s Chorus: Harriet Tubman
- Lecture: Coded Messages and Songs of the Underground Railroad - Dr. Tamika Sanders
- Gideon Mission Baptist Church Choir: Wade in the Water
- Valley Vista High School Choir: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
About the Speaker
Dr. Tamika Sanders is an entrepreneur who decided to become an educator to help address the lack of minority faculty in higher education, and serve as a role model for minority students who rarely see people of color in academia. Through her company Savvy Pen, Dr. Sanders prides herself on working with schools to build inclusive classrooms, conducting multicultural training for educators, and creating interactive programs that incorporate arts learning to bridge cultural and socioeconomic divides. She hopes to continue using the arts to break barriers, unite people, and create social change.