Terrence Roberts, one of nine black students who took part in the landmark desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957, will discuss diversity in Bellevue during a community event Saturday related to Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Roberts will speak from 1 to 2 p.m., at the Bellevue Public Library, 111 110th Ave. NE.

“We’re honored to be joined by Terrence Roberts and learn from his experience, strength and hope,” said Mayor John Stokes in a city press release. “As a young boy, he displayed incredible courage, standing up to hatred and opposition to pave the way for a more equitable society.”

Roberts and the eight other students known as the “Little Rock Nine” became international symbols of resistance and desegregation.

When the Little Rock Nine were denied entry to Central High School, President Dwight D. Eisenhower called in federal troops, upholding the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision. This ruling established state laws allowing separate public schools for black and white students were unconstitutional.

Roberts’s visit, made possible through a partnership with the King County Library System and Bellevue Friends of the Library, provides a forum for a community discussion about inclusiveness and equity here.

In December 2014, the City Council approved the Bellevue Diversity Advantage Plan, a framework that supports and champions diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion citywide. Implementation of the plan is underway.

On Monday, Crossroads Mall will feature live entertainment, guest speakers and a health fair, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The line-up includes a performance by the Seattle Peace Chorus, a discussion of the non-violence practiced by the Rev. King and free health screenings (including on-site mammograms) and information about community resources.

Real-time captioning will be provided at both events.