The University of Michigan presents 40th Annual Keynote Memorial Lecture featuring Donzaleigh Abernathy and Derrick Johnson: “Unbowed and Unbroken: The Enduring Struggle for Justice”
“But before we reach the majestic shores of the Promised Land, there is a frustrating and bewildering wilderness ahead. We must still face prodigious hilltops of opposition and gigantic mountains of resistance. But with patient and firm determination, we will press on…”
About the Speakers
Donzaleigh Abernathy
Donzaleigh Abernathy is the youngest daughter of civil rights leader Rev. Ralph David Abernathy and godchild of Martin Luther King, Jr., grew up at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, witnessing and participating in pivotal events such as the Freedom Rides, the March on Washington, and the Selma to Montgomery march. She and her siblings helped integrate schools in the South and observed historic decisions shaping American law, including the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. Abernathy later authored “Partners to History,” contributed to the Smithsonian, and won awards for her dramatic works.
Abernathy has been a prominent speaker on civil rights and implicit bias, addressing audiences at major conferences and universities, including Harvard and Michigan State. She’s had a distinguished acting career in acclaimed films and television, produced educational documentaries, and written and performed plays celebrating African American history. She has also served as a foundation trustee, CDC spokesperson, and volunteers for juvenile justice in Los Angeles.
Derrick Johnson
Derrick Johnson has served as President and CEO of the NAACP since 2017, guiding the organization through a period of revitalization. Under his leadership, the NAACP has launched impactful initiatives such as the Facebook “Log Out” campaign against misinformation, the Jamestown to Jamestown Partnership marking 400 years of African history in America, and the “We Are Done Dying” campaign highlighting healthcare inequities. Johnson also led the successful 2020 Supreme Court case protecting DACA recipients and has taken strong stances on issues like blackface, church burnings, and the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
Born in Detroit and a graduate of Tougaloo College and South Texas College of Law, Johnson has dedicated his career to advancing civil rights and improving communities, especially in Mississippi. As state president of the NAACP in Mississippi, he championed voting rights and education, helping secure millions in local improvements. Johnson is a respected legal and academic contributor, guest-lecturing at institutions such as Harvard Law School and appearing regularly in national media to advocate for justice and equality.
