In peaceful footsteps, the annual Gandhi-King Conference begins this week

The annual Gandhi-King Conference, a local two-day conference that explores the philosophy of nonviolence, kicks-off tomorrow at LeMoyne Owen College and will run through April 11. Each year community leaders join academics and local organizers and activists to share ideas and trainings to promote social justice through nonviolent means.
 
Memphis has been home to the conference since its inception 11 years ago, with the location providing a unique historical backdrop to the dialogue. The conference was originally the idea of Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, who previously led the MK Gandhi Institute that was located at Christian Brothers University. The Institute regularly brought together the groups and individuals who eventually became the organizational backbone for the conference.

Jacob Flowers has been involved with the conference since it launched and is the Co-Chair of the Steering Committee currently. He sees the event as a distinctive experience, and one that is vital to the community’s future.

For many attendees over the years, the Gandhi-King Conference is often a first opportunity to be introduced to the concepts of nonviolence and connect with others. Flowers describes this as the first step in building a movement together.  
 
“[The conference] is unique in that it brings together academics, activists, student youth and regular community folks to learn how to build a peaceful community together. It's not a trade conference, an academic conference, or anything of the like. It is a movement building space that comes together every year,” said Flowers.
  
Since its inaugural year, the conference has grown and shifted locations. Originally hosted at Christian Brothers University, it has also been held at Rhodes College, BRIDGES, and, beginning this year, at the LeMoyne Owen College campus.
 
“The content, focus and format have all evolved over time as our community—both locally and nationally—has grown and changed. But a lot has stayed the same. There is still a core group of six to ten people that have worked together to organize the conference year after year. Every year it is a space for people to come together to build, strategize and act together to make our community better,” said Flowers.
 
This year’s conference features more than 25 participatory workshops for attendees, plus a series of nationally renowned speakers. “Rev. Osagyefo Sekou is making a follow-up appearance to his speech at the Living the Legacy of Nonviolence event earlier this year. Michael Honey is coming to present his new film that everyone will be floored to see. We have the renowned author and expert on nonviolent movements, Mary King, and to top it all off we are excited to honor one of our local leaders and experts, Wendi Thomas, with a plenary spot.”
 
A complimentary youth component to the conference is organized each year, as well; in October last year more than 350 high school and middle school students attended a conference tailored for youth. Scholarships are available for 100 high school students to register for this weekend’s conference.
 
More information about the speakers, schedule and registration can be found at the conference website.