Hip Hop Artist Common to Speak at UW

Hip hop artist and actor Common will be the keynote speaker at the 10th annual Martin Luther King Jr. March and Days of Dialogue (MLK/DOD) celebration this week at the University of Wyoming.

Common will speak in the Wyoming Union Ballroom at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18.  The speech is free and open to the public as one of many activities for the week-long celebration.

Kate Steiner is the MLK/DOD co-chair.  She says this year's theme is, "A Decade of Defining Diversity Through Dialogue" and the week of activitiesis meant to be a renewal of UW's commitment to making the campus and Wyoming a more welcoming and empowering place for people from different backgounds, heritages, orientations or abilities.

Common is a poetic and respected hip hop lyricist.  He has recorded more than seven albums and worked with Kanye West to produce Grammy nominated albums.  He expanded his artistic capabilities with an acting career and has starred in several films.

In 2007 he launched the Common Ground Foundation, which strives to empower and develop urban youth.  Common has also written children's books with themes focusing on utilizing the culture of hip hop to foster a better understanding of self respect and love.