DURHAM, N.H. - Social change activist Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, a former editor of the New York Times Review of Books and widely anthologized writer, will present the commemorative address during the University of New Hampshire's 22nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, taking place Jan. 29-Feb. 2, 2012.

Events are free and open to the public.

In "The Politics of Wealth and Social Justice" McNatt, the author of "Unafraid of the Dark," and "Martin Luther King," will talk about daring to imagine a new socio-political and economic alternative that offers possibilities for equality, and discuss how wealth influences the political system, laws, and public institutions impacting society and the individual.

The address takes place Wednesday, Feb. 1, 7-8:30 p.m., in the Johnson Theater.
A reception and book signing will immediately follow the address.

"Peace and Economic Justice: A Spiritual Celebration of the Legacy and Life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." an interfaith spiritual celebration, will be held Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, 4 p.m., at the Durham Community Church. This is a spirited remembrance of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in song, readings, reflection and prayer to inspire a vision of justice to be put into practice.

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, join the talk "A Conversation with Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt" from 12:10-2 p.m., in the Memorial Union Building Strafford Room. McNatt will discuss the complex public issue of wealth in a time of high unemployment and reductions in public funding for support systems. How did an oil company in 2008 make the biggest profit on record while the average citizen's retirement and investment money was being cut by one-third or in half? How does a small minority exert influence over the political arena to shape the way America does business? How may we find common ground and re-envision, in the spirit of equity, access and inclusion, our nation's economic system?

Community Call to Action: Looking at Economic Justice through the Lens of World Faith Traditions takes place Thursday, Feb. 2, 12:40-2 p.m., in Memorial Union Building Strafford Room. In 1970, CEOs, on average in the U.S., earned $25 for every dollar their employees earned. In 2000, that figure increased to $90, and in 2004, it soared to $500 to an employee's one dollar. This discussion will not be against the idea of making money but will be directed at disparities and what faith communities are doing to address them.

For a complete schedule of events go to http://unh.edu/inclusive/mlk/
The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,200 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students.

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Photograph to download: /unhtoday/sites/default/files/newsroom/img/McNatt.jpg
Caption: Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt Keynote Speaker