Donzaleigh Abernathy

Donzaleigh Abernathy, the daughter of the late Rev. Ralph David Abernathy, co-founder of the civil rights movement, will speak on Wednesday, Feb. 25, as part of California State University, Northridge’s Black History Month celebration.

Abernathy, an actress and author, will discuss “The American Civil Rights Movement, Selma and the Fight for the Right to Vote,” at 4 p.m. in the Plaza del Sol Performance Hall. Her presentation will include a pictorial history of the civil rights movement.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity for our students to learn from the experiences of Ms. Abernathy and all the unique insights she will share about the impact of the Civil Rights Movement on the opportunities that students have today,” said William Watkins, CSUN vice president for student affairs. “Equally important will be her thoughts about the work that remains to be done to advance human and civil rights, particularly in light of more recent events.”

Abernathy’s presentation will close a month-long celebration of black history, which kicked off on Feb. 3 with a black organization and club fair. Some of the events scheduled this month include a walkthrough history museum, Super Sunday and the Harambee High School Student Conference.

Abernathy is the author of “Partners To History, Martin Luther King, Ralph David Abernathy and the Civil Rights Movement.” She received acclaim for her role in the movie, “Gods and Generals” and has appeared in numerous television movies including “Fatal Exposure,” “Abducted – A Father’s Love,” “Ned Blessing” and the miniseries “Grassroots.”

She is the youngest daughter of Ralph Abernathy, the best friend of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She witnessed in her home, the integral decision-making and the behind-the-scenes negotiations involved in the civil rights movement, which shaped America’s laws and society.

The event is sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, the University Student Union, Associated Students, the Department of Africana Studies and the CSUN Black Alumni Association.

For more information about the presentation, contact Vicki Allen at (818) 677-5111 or email vicki.allen@csun.edu.