The office of Multicultural Affairs kicked off the college’s annual MLK Week on Jan. 16 with a prayer luncheon and educational Teach-In sessions to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.
Teach-In sessions
Students could register for in-person and online sessions happening hourly between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Topics included race, anti-racism, equality, inclusion, peace and justice. Each Teach-In session, alongside with the week’s activities all incorporated the theme of “Freedom to Dream: The Radical Imagination of a New Generation”.
Speakers included NCC professors, support staff, pastors and students such as De’Janae Phillips, ’23.
“The MLK Day Program was an amazing experience. It was a beautiful event full of learning and Black culture, as well as hope for the future of Black excellence and all that we have, and will, achieve,” said Phillips.
Luncheon
College trustee Tracie Morris, ’02 gave the prayer speech during the luncheon. The prayer speech revolved around inspiring and innovating people towards an inclusive culture, while reflecting on the tools and ways organization can make this happen.
During the luncheon, a musical performance was provided by Voices of Praise, NCC’s gospel choir.
Impact on campus
Celebrating Dr. King at NCC has been a long tradition for the college, starting when King came to NCC and gave a speech at Pfeiffer Hall in 1960.
“MLK Week 2023: Freedom to Dream: The Radical Imagination of a New Generation, was inspired by this new generation’s use of love to implement the demands of justice,” said Meyani Montano, assistant director of Multicultural Affairs.
Additional events
On Jan. 17, NCC’s 12:5 Worship Service had Dr. Greg Wolf speaking on the politics of MLK at Koten Chapel. The event included a performance by Voices of Praise.
The following day, there was a screening of “Let the Little Light Shine” at the student lounge in Harold & Eva White Activities Center. The film centered around African-American elementary schools threatened to be converted to high schools.
On Jan. 19, there was an event honoring civil rights leaders at the Multicultural Student Center. In the evening, there was a presentation of poems and songs written Black poets and composers at Wentz Concert Hall. It was hosted by professors Henry Pleas and Susan Chou from NCC’s Department of Music.
“Dr. King’s teachings centered on the foundation of love, community, service and daring to dream…This year, we had the opportunity to highlight those principles. From the profound impact of the Teach-In, the community activism of the “Let The Little Line Shine” film screening, to honoring the service of countless civil rights leaders,” said Montano.
