More than 70 students and other members of the University community gathered Wednesday evening to hear Gary Flowers speak in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day marked the beginning of the University’s community celebration of the civil rights activist, which will continue through Jan. 31 and include twenty-one events. Many groups within the University’s administration and student body have worked closely to organize these events, Lora Henderson, co-president of the Black Graduate and Professional Student Organization said .
“Dr. Marcus L. Martin, chief officer for diversity and equity brought together BGPSO, BSA, and C100 to host the MLK Celebration yesterday,” Henderson said. “It was our goal to bring together undergraduate and graduate students to celebrate Dr. MLK Jr.'s legacy together.”
Flowers, who is a University graduate, delivered a speech titled, “Dr. King, Analysis to Action: Common Ground to Higher Ground.” Leslie Walker, research administrative assistant for the Office for Diversity and Equity, said Flower’s message focused on Dr. King’s involvements in the Civil Rights movement and advice on how students can apply Dr. King’s tactics today.
“He left us feeling that there is still work to be done and that we must organize as students instead of just advertising our causes via social media,” Henderson said. “He also emphasized the importance working hard and prioritizing experiences over financial gain just as MLK Jr. did as he became a preacher and Civil Rights Leader instead of a professor.”
Flowers was a panelist for the University’s Diversity Dialogues during the fall semester, providing insight from his many years of experience on the front lines of civil rights issues and policies. Those sponsoring the MLK Celebration saw fit to ask him to keynote for this event, Henderson said.
“Flowers was an excellent speaker…back in November and people were impressed with him and wanted to hear more,” Henderson said.
Henderson said she thought this event was a wonderful way for students to come together in celebration.
“It is our hope that the Office of Diversity & Equity, BGPSO, BSA, and C100 will be able to collaborate more in the future,” Henderson said.
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