November 12, 2024
Anika Noni Rose |
Tony Award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose will be the keynote speaker at Oakland University’s 33rd annual Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards Celebration.
Rose is internationally known for voicing the character Tiana, Disney’s first African American princess, in “The Princess and The Frog.” The film received three Oscar nominations and Rose became the youngest inductee to be honored as a Disney Legend.
She is the author of the children’s book “Princess Tiana’s Perfect Plan” and is currently voicing the animated series that will premiere on Disney+ in 2025. She will also be starring as Afia in the upcoming “Mufasa: The Lion King” movie, which comes out in December 2024.
Rose won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in “Caroline, or Change.” The role also earned her the Lucille Lortel Award, Theatre World Award, Obie Award, Clarence Derwent Award and a Drama Desk nomination.
Her performance as Regina in the Netflix series “Maid” was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special at the 2022 NAACP Image Awards.
She also starred as Kizzy in the History Channel’s adaptation of “Roots,” for which she was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. On the big screen, she starred as Lorell Robinson in “Dreamgirls,” earning an AFI Ensemble Award, SAG Award nomination and Grammy Award nomination.
A nine-time NAACP Image Award nominee, Rose has voiced many audiobooks, and has performed sold out concerts all over the world, including singing at Carnegie Hall and the Vatican.
The Keeper of the Dream Awards Celebration will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 20, 2025, in the Oakland Center Founders Ballrooms.
Established in 1993, the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards recognize Oakland University student leaders who have contributed to Dr. King’s legacy by breaking down cultural stereotypes and promoting interracial understanding. In the past three decades, more than 150 students have been awarded Keeper of the Dream scholarships totaling more than $750,000.
This year’s Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards Celebration is sponsored by Oakland University Credit Union, Whirlpool, Comerica, Magna, Corewell Health, Priority Health, First State Bank, Oakland University Black Alumni Chapter, Oakland University Alumni Association, Lynne & Lia McIntosh Scholarship and Lynne A. McIntosh Memorial Scholarship.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available. Interested parties can contact Christine Talbert at [email protected] to learn more about supporting this event.
For additional event information, contact the Center for Multicultural Initiatives at [email protected] or (248) 370-4404.