CHARLOTTE, N.C./May 8, 2018--Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League since 2003, will deliver the keynote address during Johnson C. Smith University’s commencement exercises at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 20, 2018. The event will be held at Bojangles Coliseum, 2700 E. Independence Blvd.
Morial has been the primary catalyst for transforming the 108-year old Urban League, redefining civil rights in the 21st century with a renewed emphasis on closing the economic gaps between whites and Blacks, as well as other communities of color, and rich and poor Americans. A former mayor of New Orleans and a Louisiana state senator, he was recognized as one of the 100 Most-influential Black Americans by Ebony Magazine, one of the Top 50 Nonprofit Executives by the Nonprofit Times, and one of the Top 100 Black Lawyers in America.
The University will also hold a baccalaureate service for the Class of 2018 on Friday, May 18 at 6 p.m. in the Jane M. Smith Memorial Church. The guest speaker is Rev. Alyn E. Waller, senior pastor of the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia and internationally-known revivalist, vocalist and lecturer.
