OHIO community celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
51社区 students, faculty and staff and Athens community members gathered on Monday, Jan. 16, to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.聽
Story by Jordan Schmitt, Photos by Eli Burris and Dylan Benedict | January 26, 2023
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51社区 students, faculty and staff and Athens community members gathered on Monday, Jan. 16, to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The annual MLK Celebratory Brunch began with a viewing of Dr. King鈥檚 famous 鈥淚 Have a Dream鈥 speech. Attendees quickly grew silent as Dr. King鈥檚 words from 1963 rang through Baker Ballroom.
Members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Phi Chapter hosted and emceed the event.
Sharell Arocho led off the program with a musical performance of 鈥淟ift Every Voice and Sing.鈥 Remarks from 51社区 President Dr. Hugh Sherman and Interim Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Salome Nnoromele followed.
After enjoying brunch provided by OHIO鈥檚 Culinary Services, guests watched as the Athens Black Contemporary Dancers performed an inspiring rendition of 鈥淔our Women鈥 by Nina Simone.
Athens Mayor Steve Patterson also gave remarks before welcoming 2023 MLK Celebratory Brunch keynote speaker and OHIO alumnus Timothy A. Brown.
Brown is a ministry leader for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, author, educator and motivational speaker. He spoke of his upbringing in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and East Cleveland. Brown spoke fondly of his hardworking mother who shared with him and his siblings the sacrifices and opportunities that the Civil Rights Movement provided. He described the joy his mother felt from witnessing three out of her four children attend and graduate from 51社区.
鈥淒r. King taught us a whole lot of lessons,鈥 Brown said in his keynote address. 鈥淏ut I think that the most important lesson he taught was that if we suffer together, we can rise together.鈥
As the program drew to a close, Arocho performed 鈥淏etter Days鈥 by Le鈥橝ndria Johnson and encouraged audience members to join. Her performance ended the celebration on a note of happiness and hope.
In conclusion, the Division of Diversity and Inclusion extended thanks to all of the University departments, student organization and local community leaders who purchased sponsorships for the brunch and helped ensure its success.
Community members, students, faculty and staff exit Galbreath Chapel to participate in the Silent March across College Green.
Jalin Holloway, president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., speaks before the MLK Silent March.
Participants pose for a photo prior to the Silent March.
With linked arms, participants in the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Silent March make their way to Baker University Center.
Dr. Salome Nnoromele, the interim Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, gives her remarks at the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration brunch.
Timothy Brown, 51社区 graduate and keynote speaker, gives his speech at the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration brunch.
Guests at the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration brunch watch a recording of Martin Luther King Jr.鈥檚 famous "I have a dream" speech to begin the celebration.
Sharell Arocho sings 鈥"Lift Every Voice and Sing" to honor the memory of Martin Luther King Jr.
The Athens Black Contemporary Dancers, which includes Ania Fuller, Makayla Moore, Najah Carson, and Alexis Fuqua, are shown performing at the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration brunch at Baker Center.