Dr. Terrence Roberts of the Little Rock Nine speaks at Geneva College

Dr. Terrence Roberts, one of the key players in the Civil Rights Movement, was a part of the Little Rock Nine. With the Supreme Court eliminating segregation in public schools, Roberts and eight other students garnered national attention through the simple act of going to school. The Little Rock Nine was the first group of African American students to attend the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. These nine students faced many challenges, including an angry mob that surrounded the school and daily physical and emotional abuse. At one point, President Eisenhower sent U.S. Army Troops to aid in the protection of the students.

He is also the author of Simple, Not Easy: Reflections on community, social responsibility and tolerance and published his memoir, Lessons from Little Rock, in 2009. In 1999, Dr. Roberts and the other members of the Little Rock Nine received the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal. Roberts is currently the CEO of management-consulting firm Terrence J. Roberts and Associates and recently retired from his 15-year position at Antioch University in Los Angeles.

Dr. Roberts will speak at Geneva as part the school’s Colloquia Series, where each semester speakers from around the world are invited to come and discuss compelling topics. This series of lectures is designed to engage students and the community in topics that impact the world in which we live and to foster intellectual, Christian-principled thought and discussion.

For more information go to: http://www.geneva.edu/object/nr_terrance_roberts_3-11.html.