The National Center for the Study of Civil-Rights and African-American Culture at Alabama State University established the Robert and Jean Graetz Symposium on Human Rights and Reconciliation on the campus of Alabama State University in honor of long-time human rights activists, Rev. Robert and Mrs. Jean Graetz. The couple has worked tirelessly to advance the cause of human rights in our community and around the world. The symposium is designed to stimulate action-oriented citizens to work toward reconciliation while examining factors that divide ethnic groups. Its focus is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream of a “Beloved Community.” The Robert and Jean Graetz Symposium on Human Rights and Reconciliation is held each year during the first week of April.