Rutha Harris to deliver keynote address at GSW’s 46th Annual MLK Convocation

AMERICUS, Ga. (Feb. 18, 2026) — Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) will host its 46th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. in the GSW Convocation Hall. Civil rights icon and Freedom Singer Rutha Harris will serve as the keynote speaker. The event is free and open to the public.

A lifelong resident of Albany, Georgia, Harris was an active participant in the Albany Movement of 1961–62, where she worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and was jailed four times for her involvement in nonviolent protests. As a member of the Original Freedom Singers, she traveled more than 50,000 miles performing freedom songs and raising funds for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), using music as a powerful tool in the fight for civil rights.

In 1963, the Freedom Singers signed a recording contract with Mercury Records, launching Harris’ professional music career. Throughout the years, she has performed in 46 states as well as internationally, appearing at renowned venues and historic events including Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, the United Nations, the Newport Jazz Festival and the March on Washington. She has also recorded and performed with the Georgia Mass Choir and appeared in the film The Preacher’s Wife.

Committed to preserving the history and legacy of the Civil Rights Movement, Harris organized The Albany Civil Rights Museum Freedom Singers in 1998. The group continues to perform regularly, sharing the story of the movement through music and education.

Harris has received numerous honors recognizing her lifelong dedication to civil rights, education and community service, including the Martin Luther King Dream Award (2001), Coca-Cola Educator of the Month (2001), Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award presented by Secretary of State Cathy Cox, Woman of Achievement Award from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the Key to the City of Albany presented to her twice. A former Teacher of the Year at Monroe Comprehensive High School, she was also recognized by the 40th Accord Anniversary of the Civil Rights Demonstrations, Inc., for her steadfastness in preserving Black history and received the I.B.P.O.E. of West Georgia State Association Civil Liberties Department Award in 2006.

The MLK Convocation is sponsored by the GSW’s Division of Business and Finance, GSW MLK Convocation Committee, GSW Gospel Choir, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), Strong United Assertive Virtuous Educated Women (SUAVE), Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, the Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB), and Student Government Association (SGA).