The annual convocation celebrates the life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by presenting speakers who discuss the civil rights issues of equality, freedom, justice, and opportunity. The convocation also seeks to build partnerships and develop dialogue within the campus community and with the local communities served by the university.

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Alicia Garza, Co-Creator of the Viral Twitter Hashtag and Movement, #BlackLivesMatter

• Speaker: Alicia Garza
  Social Activist and Co-Creator of the Viral Twitter Hashtag and Movement, #BlackLivesMatter
• Date: 7 p.m., Friday, February 12, 2016
• Location: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
• The event is free and open to the public.

The 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Convocation will feature Alicia Garza, Social Activist and Co-Creator of the Viral Twitter Hashtag and Movement, #BlackLivesMatter.

Social activist Alicia Garza prompted activism nationwide when she introduced the world to the Twitter hashtag #BlackLivesMatter along with movement cofounders Opal Tometi and Patrisse Cullors. The hashtag evolved into the banner under which this generation’s civil rights movement marches.

Garza, special projects director for the National Domestic Workers Alliance, previously served as executive director of People Organized to Win Employment Rights, where she led the charge on significant initiatives, including organizing against the chronic police violence in black neighborhoods.

Committed to challenging society to recognize and celebrate the contributions of all individuals, specifically black people and queer communities, Garza’s activism is rooted in organizational strategies and visions to connect individuals and emerging social movements. Her work has earned her various honors, including two Harvey Milk Democratic Club Community Activist Awards for her work fighting gentrification and environmental racism in San Francisco's largest remaining black community.

Delivering powerful perspective on the adversities inflicted by social injustice and discrimination, Garza educates and inspires audiences to organize and stand together to transform society into a world where the lives and contributions of all individuals are recognized equally.

Tony Hill Memorial Award

Members of the Santa Cruz and UCSC community are invited to nominate outstanding individuals for the Tony Hill Memorial Award. The recipient will be recognized at the convocation.

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