The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business will welcome Ndaba Mandela, grandson of the late South African anti-apartheid activist, politician, and philanthropist Nelson Mandela, as keynote speaker for the 2015 William K. McInally Memorial Lecture. The lecture takes place on Martin Luther King Day as part of the University of Michigan’s 29th annual MLK Symposium. As a motivational speaker, political consultant, and organizer, Mandela is keeping his iconic grandfather’s dream alive through his numerous speaking presentations.

“The Power of One” is the theme for this year’s presentation. Mandela is spreading the message of unity and addressing society’s most pressing issues, reminiscent of what Nelson Mandela and Dr. King accomplished. Mandela is the co-founder and co-chairman of Africa Rising Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting positive images of Africa. He is also the co-founder of the mandelaproject.com, a social hub that focuses on community outreach and philanthropy.

Ndaba will discuss the ways in which the community can continue to pass on the legacy civil rights pioneers like his grandfather left behind. Ndaba has begun cementing his own legacy, being named one of the “28 Men of Change” by BET and one of the key people in creating the International Day of Happiness at the United Nations. He is currently organizing the 95th celebration of Nelson Mandela Day and travels around the world speaking extensively about his homeland.

"Ndaba Mandela is carrying the torch that his iconic grandfather passed on to him, reminding us of our past civil and human rights accomplishments and inspiring us to leverage those gains today,” said T. Sha’ Duncan Smith, Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Michigan Ross. “Like Nelson Mandela and Dr. King before him, Ndaba understands the power of working together to solve society's most pressing problems. This lecture is the perfect opportunity to bring together different generations as we honor our past, celebrate our present, and galvanize our future.”

The McInally Lecture is sponsored by Michigan Ross and the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives. Learn more about Ross at michiganross.umich.edu. The event takes place on Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 19, 5:00p at Blau Auditorium in the Ross School of Business. It is free and open to the public on a first come, first serve basis. Visit mlksymposium.umich.edu for more information on this and other events.

About Michigan Ross 

The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan is a diverse learning community grounded in the principle that business can be an extraordinary vehicle for positive change in today's dynamic global economy. The Ross School of Business mission is to develop leaders who will make a positive difference in the world. Through thought and action-based learning, members of the Ross community drive change and innovation that improves business and society.

Ross is consistently ranked among the world's leading business schools. Academic degree programs include the BBA, MBA, Part-time MBA (Evening and Weekend formats), Executive MBA, Global MBA, Master of Accounting, Master of Supply Chain Management, Master of Management, and PhD. In addition, the school delivers open-enrollment and custom executive education programs targeting general management, leadership development, and strategic human resource management.