Klein College’s associate professor of public relations, David Brown, was recently awarded the 20th annual Harris Wofford Active Citizenship Award from Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. The award recognizes an individual or organization that has contributed to the King Day of Service through civic engagement.

"I was completely stunned when my name was selected as this year's honoree,” Brown said. “It simply inspires me to continue doing what I've been doing in trying to make a difference in the community as Dr. King would have all of us to do."

When not teaching at Klein College, Brown serves his community as part of the ministry staff at Wharton-Wesley United Methodist Church. In 2008, Brown created created the Bridge Walk for Peace, which is now the nation's longest-running observance commemorating the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. King.

In a release, Todd Bernstein, the founder and director of the Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, said that Brown deserved the honor for his “years of steadfast support of the Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service and lifelong dedication and commitment to public service and civic engagement.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of King’s assassination and, in commemoration, Klein College is connecting with NewCORE (New Conversation on Race and Ethnicity), taking part in a program called 80 Conversations in 80 Days. Following Brown‘s recognition, from Jan. 15 (the date of his birth) to April 4 (the date of his death), Temple University and joins other institutions, such as WHYY, Philadelphia Museum of Art, PECO, University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Media Network, in holding conversations about King’s life’s work and the issues that mattered most to him.

In March, the annual Temple Conversation with the Provost, featuring Temple Provost JoAnne A. Epps and sponsored by Temple University's Black Public Relations Society, will be included.