RALEIGH, N.C. — Yolanda King, the oldest child of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will serve as the keynote speaker at North Carolina State's MLK Commemoration on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

The actress and activist will make her presentation, entitled "The Dream is Still a Dream," at 11 a.m. in Stewart Theatre, located in N.C. State's Talley Student Center. The event is free and open to the public.

"Ms. King will challenge the campus community to re-dedicate itself to living the dream that was so eloquently advocated by her father," said Dr. Theresa Edwards, assistant vice provost for African-American affairs at N.C. State. "In these times of local, national and global uncertainty, a focus on Dr. King's vision for justice, peace and equality can provide valuable guidance. We look forward to Ms. King bringing us a message of hope and unity."

King has spent her lifetime using her talents to effect social and personal change through the arts, combining her artistic pursuits on the stage and screen with her involvement in human rights organizations.

These include portrayals of Rosa Parks in the television movie "King," Dr. Betty Shabazz in the film "Death of a Prophet" and Medgar Evers' daughter, Reena, in "Ghosts of the Mississippi."

King has been honored with numerous presentations, awards and citations by organizations around the country. She was named one of the Outstanding Young Women of America.

A member of the board of directors of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Change, Inc. - the official national memorial to Dr. King - Yolanda King was founding director of the King Center's Cultural Affairs Program.

She also serves on the partnership council of Habitat for Humanity. She is a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and holds a lifetime membership in the NAACP.

King received a bachelor's degree with honors in theatre and African-American studies from Smith College, and a master's degree in theater from New York University.

The Jan. 15 event is hosted by N.C. State's Office of Diversity and African-American Affairs and the Black Student Board.