Presented by Boxser Diversity Initiative

John Lewis: In Search of the Beloved Community | Dr. Raymond Arsenault

About This Event

For six decades John Lewis was a towering figure in the U.S. struggle for civil rights. As an activist and congressman, he was renowned for his unshakable integrity, courage, and determination to get into "good trouble." Join historian Ray Arsenault as he traces Lewis's upbringing in rural Alabama, his championing of voting rights and anti-poverty initiatives, and his decades of service as the "conscience of Congress." Arsenault recounts Lewis's lifetime of work toward one overarching goal: realizing the "beloved community," an ideal society based in equity and inclusion.

This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited; reservations required.

 

About the Speaker

Raymond Arsenault, Ph.D., is the John Hope Franklin Professor of Southern History emeritus at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg. A distinguished scholar and nationally acclaimed author, he has written several award-winning books, including John Lewis: In Search of the Beloved Community, published in 2024. Arsenault has lectured widely on topics related to civil rights and race, regional culture, and environmental history.

 

About This Event

For six decades John Lewis was a towering figure in the U.S. struggle for civil rights. As an activist and congressman, he was renowned for his unshakable integrity, courage, and determination to get into "good trouble." Join historian Ray Arsenault as he traces Lewis's upbringing in rural Alabama, his championing of voting rights and anti-poverty initiatives, and his decades of service as the "conscience of Congress." Arsenault recounts Lewis's lifetime of work toward one overarching goal: realizing the "beloved community," an ideal society based in equity and inclusion.

This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited; reservations required.

 

About the Speaker

Raymond Arsenault, Ph.D., is the John Hope Franklin Professor of Southern History emeritus at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg. A distinguished scholar and nationally acclaimed author, he has written several award-winning books, including John Lewis: In Search of the Beloved Community, published in 2024. Arsenault has lectured widely on topics related to civil rights and race, regional culture, and environmental history.

 

Getting There

Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota
3975 Fruitville Rd
Sarasota, FL 34232

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Funding for BDI's 2024-25 Discussion Series is provided by the Zella I. and Junius F. Allen Fund and the Frederick Gallo Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of $488 million in more than 1,580 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $40 million dollars last year in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has been able to grant more than $435.8 million to area nonprofit organizations to our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org or call (941) 955-3000.

 

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This program is co-sponsored by Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota. For more information, visit www.uusrq.org or call (941) 371-4974.