LeVar Burton: 2019 Inamori Ethics Prize Academic Symposium (panel with Q&A)

The Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence at Case Western Reserve University has selected LeVar Burton, a renowned actor and advocate for children's literacy and AIDS research, as the recipient of the 2019 Inamori Ethics Prize. Case Western Reserve has awarded the Inamori Ethics Prize annually since 2008 to individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions as global ethical leaders.

Burton is the first Inamori Ethics Prize recipient to be honored for ethical leadership in the Arts. His work for children's literacy through the long-running PBS children's series Reading Rainbow and his nonprofit RRKIDZ has had a profound impact around the world, as has his support for more funding for AIDS research. As an actor, he is best known for his powerful performance as Kunta Kinte in the mini-series Roots (based on the book by Alex Haley on slavery in America) and his role as engineer Geordi La Forge on the TV series "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and related films, which portray a positive and just future for humanity.

Burton will receive the 2019 Inamori Ethics Prize during a ceremony and academic symposium held on the campus of Case Western Reserve University during September 19-20. He will deliver a public lecture and participate in a panel discussion.

Academic Symposium

“Ethical Leadership in the Arts: The Power of Storytelling and Representation"
Friday, September 20, 12:45 p.m.

Tinkham Veale University Center at Case Western Reserve University

11038 Bellflower Road Cleveland, OH 44106

Featuring LeVar Burton and distinguished panelists:

•Cara Byrne, Lecturer in English/SAGES Teaching Fellow and the
Research Advisor on Diverse Children's Literature for the
Schubert Center for Child Studies, Case Western Reserve University

•Joy Bostic, Interim Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity,
and Equal Opportunity; Associate Professor, Department of Religious Studies

- Moderated by Shannon E. French, the Inamori Professor in Ethics

Register for these free public events.