An Evening with LeVar Burton: A Keynote of Missouri Humanities’ Ozarks Engaged Symposium

To open Missouri Humanities’ 8th annual Springfield symposium, Ozarks Engaged: Citizenry and the Future of Our Communities, LeVar Burton will discuss how literacy builds connections and strengthens civic engagement during a moderated conversation with Greg Burris, Founder and Executive Director of Give 5 Program, United Way of the Ozarks. 

LeVar Burton launched his acting career as a student at the University of Southern California. At 19, he appeared on the cover of TIME Magazine after landing the groundbreaking role of Kunta Kinte in Roots, a landmark television series. Burton achieved further global acclaim as Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge in the iconic Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, he is most proud of his role as host and executive producer of PBS’s Reading Rainbow, one of the longest-running and most acclaimed children’s programs in television history. Airing from 1983 to 2009, it earned over 200 awards, including multiple Emmys and a Peabody.

Burton is the recipient of six NAACP Awards, a Peabody, a Grammy, and 14 Emmys. In 2024, he was awarded the National Humanities Medal for his lifelong work championing literacy. Honored for his contributions to literacy in America, he remains dedicated to promoting the power of literature and storytelling in our everyday lives.

Presented by Missouri Humanities in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Library and the Friends of the Library, with sponsorship support from Missouri State University Libraries, Drury University, and Drury University Humanities.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Tickets for this event are free, and patrons can reserve up to 4 seats under their name.
• Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Be ready to present your e-ticket.
• At 7:00 pm., Burton will take part in a 45-minute moderated discussion, followed by a 15-minute audience Q&A.

Reserved tickets will be available by clicking here or at https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/61531992/an-evening-with-levar-burtona-keynote-of-missouri-humanitiesozarks-engaged-symposium-springfield-gillioz-theatre starting Friday, February 21, at 10 am (Central Time).

The full symposium line-up is coming soon!