Three living legends - Dr. Maya Angelou, Dr. James P. Comer and Dr. William “Bill” Friday - who have each made pioneering contributions in education, are the 2006 recipients of the John Hope Franklin Award. They will receive their award medallions at a gala dinner on Saturday, June 17, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Duke Inn on the campus of Duke University. Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine (formerly Black Issues In Higher Education) created the awards program in 2004 to honor those who have demonstrated the highest commitment to access and excellence in American education.

A symposium will kick off the two-day event, beginning on Friday, June 16 at the Washington Duke Inn. The symposium will examine the methods, models and best practices associated with superior academic and leadership in education. Symposium panelists will include highly regarded leaders in higher education, including former North Carolina A&T State University president Dr. James Renick; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools president Dr. Belle Wheelan; Texas State University expert on Hispanic education Dr. Miguel Guajardo; and University of Michigan Senior Associate Provost Dr. Lester Monts.

A symposium highlight will feature an interactive conversation between Dr. John Hope Franklin and the 2006 Franklin award recipients that will take place on Saturday morning.

On Friday evening, an opening reception sponsored by Duke will be held at The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. The museum is currently showcasing a new exhibition on the art of African American artist Romare Bearden, entitled “Conjuring Bearden.” Running concurrently is "Something All Our Own", the African American art collection of Duke alumnus and NBA basketball star Grant Hill.

Tickets for Saturday’s gala event are $100.00 each. And tickets for the gala, plus two-day symposium event, are $275.00. To register, click here.

For general information, contact:

Diverse: Issues In Higher Education
Attn: Maya Minter
10520 Warwick Avenue, Suite B-8
Fairfax, VA 22030
Tel: (703) 385-2981, x-3024
e-mail: maya@cmapublishing.com

Press/Media: Members of the press should contact Maya Minter at maya@cmapublishing.com or (703) 385-2981 x-3024. Please forward your media credentials (media source, circulation/ viewership, affiliation, title, and complete contact information) and state your request(s) as exact as possible (interview, article, pictures, attendance).

Sponsors: Sponsorship, signage and other marketing opportunities are available. Name sponsor opportunities are still available. Contact The Caraway Management Group at: acaraway@thecarawaygroup.net