"Lincoln on Leadership" Author to Deliver Keynote at July 8 MLK Legacy Luncheon

Donald T. Phillips

Donald T. Phillips helped pave the way toward the creation of a new genre of books on historical leadership

CINCINNATI, OH - As part of its ongoing mission to engage the community in dialogue that creates positive social change and inspire servant leadership, Union Institute & University’s (UI&U) Ph.D. program will host the biannual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Luncheon, Friday, July 8, from noon – 1:30 p.m. at the Kingsgate Marriot in Clifton. Bestselling author and expert on historical leadership, Donald T. Phillips, will deliver the keynote address titled “Social Change and the Role of the Scholar.”

“We are honored that Donald Phillips will serve as the guest speaker for the upcoming MLK luncheon,” said Dr. Nancy Boxill, coordinator of UI&U’s Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies Martin Luther King Jr. Specialization. “His exploration into the leadership styles of Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln - among other great leaders –serves as an important tool for our scholars who are applying MLK’s leadership practices to their own work in making lasting change in their communities.”

Phillips first became interested in leadership as an executive working for a large corporation in the late 1980s. Seeking ways to become a better manager, he found that seminars and books on leadership emphasized worker productivity but had little consideration for people. This led him to learn about leadership by studying the life and work of President Abraham Lincoln.

His first book, Lincoln on Leadership, paved the way toward the creation of a new genre of books on historical leadership and served as his inspiration for a trilogy on America leadership that also includes The Founding Fathers on Leadership and Martin Luther King, Jr. on Leadership. Today, Phillips is also an internationally-acclaimed speaker on historical leadership and has worked with companies including Lockheed Martin and Oracle, addressing executives on effective leadership.

Union’s biannual MLK Luncheon is an integral part of the university’s MLK Studies specialization within the Ph.D. program and is held twice yearly in conjunction with Ph.D. residencies in Cincinnati. The July 8 luncheon, from noon-1:30 p.m., will be held in the Grand Ballroom at the Kingsgate Marriott, 151 Goodman Drive, Clifton. The event is open to the public, however, seating is limited. Cost is $25 and includes lunch. To reserve tickets contact Nicole Mayes-Boyd, senior program specialist, at 513-487-1142 or at nicole.mayes-boyd@myunion.edu.