Actress Tessa Thompson took to the University Auditorium to speak about her films and honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s life as the keynote speaker of UF’s Martin Luther King Jr. events.
At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thompson, known for her role as civil rights activist Diane Nash in “Selma,” addressed the crowd, sharing that her initial goal as an actress was to carry on the legacy of African-American activist women.
“My dreams were to expand and challenge my perception and also the audience’s perception of what it means to be a woman,” Thompson said, “and more specifically, a woman of color.”
Thompson recounted the events that led to her success in movies such as “Dear White People” and “For Colored Girls” and shared her experiences with the audience. She also quoted one of MLK’s speeches and spoke about women’s roles in the civil rights movement.
Following her speech, Thompson stepped away from the podium and sat on the edge of the stage for a Q-and-A session.
Ashley Aristide, a UF accounting sophomore, said she enjoyed Thompson’s speech and found her relatable.
“She didn’t really come as a celebrity,” Aristide, 20, said. “She came more as another individual within the community.”
[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 1/22/2015 under the headline “‘Selma’ actress gives MLK address"]
Tessa Thompson, keynote speaker for the 2015 Martin Luther King Jr. celebration events, takes questions from the audience at the University Auditorium on Wednesday night. Thompson is an American actress known for her most recent role in “Selma.”
