On the heels of the successful 2023-24 Bucknell Forum series, “Freedom of Expression,” President John Bravman has announced the continuation of the annual Forum with a relevant theme for the 2024-25 academic year: “World in Transition.” Three speakers have been scheduled to speak throughout the year; the fourth and final speaker will be announced at a later date. All speakers’ Forums will begin at 7:30 p.m. on their respective dates in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts.
In order of scheduled appearance, the speakers that have been announced to date are Yamiche Alcindor, an NBC News Washington correspondent; W. Kamau Bell, a comedian, director, producer and Emmy-award-winning executive producer and host; and George Takei, iconic actor, author and social justice activist globally recognized for his role as Hikaru Sulu in the original “Star Trek” series.
Alcindor will be speaking on Tuesday, Sept. 24th. As a correspondent for NBC, she’s covered dozens of political and federal topics. Throughout her career, she has lent her expertise to PBS, MSNBC, USA Today and The New York Times. Alcindor is an award-winning journalist, the recipient of both the White House Correspondents’ Association’s Aldo Beckman Award for Overall Excellence in White House Coverage and the National Association of Black Journalists’ Journalist of the Year Award.
Bell is scheduled to speak on Tuesday, Oct. 22nd. Bell has received six Emmys throughout his career, five of which were for the CNN docuseries “United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell,” which he hosted and produced. His 2022 docuseries, “We Need to Talk about Cosby,” earned him a Peabody award and his comedy special “Private School Negro” is up on Netflix. Bell also has a presence in nonprofit circles, holding positions on the board of directors for both DonorsChoose and Live Free. The nonprofits address deficits in school funding and the prevalence of gun violence and mass criminalization in America, respectively.
Takei, though best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu, has had a lengthy acting and activism career that spans over 60 years. From his activism for racial equality in the United States, which stems from his own experience being held in the Japanese internment camps as a child during WWII, to his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights as a gay man, Takei has made his voice heard consistently throughout his decades in the public eye. His activism is ongoing, as are his Hollywood roles.
This year’s Forum theme, in the words of Bravman himself, “reflects upon the dynamic and rapidly changing global landscape we are experiencing today.” Bravman emphasizes the importance of diverse commentary in conversations surrounding social changes, adding, “[Bucknell is] proud to welcome such distinguished speakers who will share their unique perspectives on these critical changes and their impact on society.”
Bucknell Forum events are free and open to the public, but tickets are required and can be reserved at the Weis Center box office or online.
