The co-founder of Black Lives Matter, Patrisse Cullors, will be the featured speaker for the 2016 Diverse U forum at the University of Montana.

Assistant Director at the UM Student Involvement Network, Mishayla Cox, said Cullors will speak on November 2.

"Patrisse Cullors, whip helped coin the phrase 'Black Lives Matter', and is a co-founder of the movement, will speak as part of the Diverse U Forum," Cox said. "That's where we'll have a series of programs, exhibits and workshops that students, faculty and the community puts on over the two days of the forum, Wednesday and Thursday. We always have a keynote speaker, and given the current climate around Black Lives Matter and the racial climate happening around the U.S. it works within our budget, and it works out to have Patrisse come and speak."

Cox said Cullors will speak to the current culture in Missoula and the University of Montana from her perspective as a co-founder of Black Lives Matter.

"She will speak on a broad topic of Black Lives Matter, and I'm assuming considering the demographics at the University of Montana, it might be focused a little bit on why we do say 'Black Lives Matter' in opposition to 'All Lives Matter', and I feel like it holds a lot of importance to have one of the founders of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement come and speak. There will be a question and answer session following her speech."

The event is free and open to the public.

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