Quay Hanna (Courtesy)

SHIPPENSBURG, Tuesday, Jan. 10 — Quay Hanna is keynote speaker for Shippensburg University’s annual March for Humanity Jan 19. He replaces previously announced speaker Dr. Therman Evans who is unable to attend the program.

 The program, open to the public, begins at 3:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the Ceddia Union Building. The theme of the rally and march is  “Dreaming without shackles.” The event is sponsored by the university’s Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and the African American Organization.

 Hanna, originally from Strasburg, is a graduate of Bloomsburg University with a B.A. degree in English. After graduation he boarded a bus and began traversing the country.

According to information on his website, “As he traveled he was forced to confront his own racist and prejudiced beliefs, making him realize that he had more to offer the world than his lifelong hatred of others. Upon his return to Strasburg he had a new objective: to reach out to his subculture — rural, white America — and to challenge racist beliefs as his were challenged on the trip.”

In 1997, he published a book about his life-changing experience titled Bus America: Revelation of a Redneck and began telling his story to audiences around the country.

The march is part of the university’s 16th annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. with the theme of “Remember, Reflect, Engage.” Actor Daryl “Chill” Mitchell is the guest speaker Jan. 18 and his presentation is “Personal responsibility and accountability.”

Mitchell was a successful musician-turned actor who won roles in hit TV shows and more than 15 feature films. In 2001, a motorcycle accident paralyzed him from the waist down and put his dreams on hold.

Best known for his roles as Dexter Walker on The John Larroquette Show, Leo Michaels on Veronica’s Closet, and Eli Goggins on Ed, Mitchell advises other wheelchair users to hold on to something they believe in. While continuing his acting career, he also serves as the minority outreach spokesperson for the Christopher Reeve Foundation.