the marion thompson wright lecture series is presented by the institute, one of the longest running and considered among the most prestigious black history month observances in the country. it was founded in 1981 by price and giles r. wright, the inaugural director of the afro-american history program at the new jersey historical commission. in 2015, the lecture series celebrated its 35th anniversary with the theme "curating black america", honoring the forthcoming opening of the smithsonian's national museum of african american history and culture in washington, d.c. the 36th annual marion thompson wright lecture series will take place on february 20, 2016 and will explore criminal justice in the african american experience. among the distinguished lecturers in this series have been sterling stuckey, max roach, james farmer, esther rolle, ali mazrui, eric foner, basil davidson and david blight.