Open Modal

Lyon College celebrates life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

lyon-mlk-event-submitted
lyon-mlk-event-submitted
Article By Colton Strader

“You can’t really know where you are going until you know where you have been,” said Maya Angelou, American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist.

This simple yet profound message details why we choose to remember and celebrate those who came before us. Those who strived to make a difference like Maya Angelou, Claudette Colvin, Rosa Parks, and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose life and legacy the Lyon College community celebrated this week.

The Lyon College Black Student Association hosted the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration and Luncheon on Monday, Jan. 16, in Patterson Dining Hall of Edwards Commons on the Batesville campus. Lyon College has held Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day convocations, service events, and community gatherings in previous years, but this year’s event was by far the largest, with roughly 300 attendees packing the dining hall. Prior to the celebration, Lyon College students, faculty, and staff participated in service activities.

Dr. Branndii N. Peterson, executive director of TRiO and Black Student Association adviser, mentioned a quote from 1961 delivered by Dr. King in which he said:

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Even a superficial look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. Every step towards the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. Without persistent effort, time itself becomes an ally of the insurgent and primitive forces of irrational emotionalism and social destruction. There is no time for apathy or complacency. This is time for vigorous and positive action.”

“I feel that we here at Lyon College live Dr. King’s words through our core values, and our commitment to those values is what has and will continue to set us apart from other institutions,” said Dr. Peterson.

Lyon College President Dr. Melissa P. Taverner welcomed everyone to the event, inviting the community to share in good food, shared life experiences, and the musical selections by the Lyon College Gospel Choir and Director Barretta Robinson.

Dr. Peterson explained in further detail the specifics of the Gospel Choir’s musical selection of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

“‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ was written at a time when Jim Crow was replacing slavery, and the African American people were searching for an identity of their own,” said Dr. Peterson. “It was originally a poem written by James Weldon Johnson, who was an author and activist. Later on, Johnson’s brother John Rosamond Johnson then, set it to music. In 1919, the NAACP made it the official Black National Anthem.”

Senior Andre’ Davis, Black Student Association member and master of ceremonies, then introduced Reverend Billy Burris, a class of 1979 alumnus, to lead the event’s invocation.

Lyon College students Keidrick Wooten, Andre’ Davis, Xavier Long, Balah Muhammad, Clifford Washington, Gavin Brunson, and Malcolm Howard then performed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream,” with each student reciting a portion of the speech.

“Those young men worked hard and were super nervous to stand in a room full of their peers and recite the speech,” said Dr. Peterson. “They did well, and I am so proud of them.”

Following the group recital, Kamesha Williams, co-founder of Highly Kreative Productions and performer, delivered a “Waves of Worship” performative dance.

“There was so much emotion in her face while she danced,” said Erica Godbolt, Lyon College marketing and media specialist. “It was amazing.”

After Kamesha Williams’ performance, author and retired University of Central Arkansas Vice President of Student Services and Institutional Diversity Ronnie Williams delivered the keynote address.

Williams was the first person of color to serve as chair of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and the first person of color on the Conway Development Cooperation Board. In addition, he served as chair of the Arkansas Educational Television Commission (now Arkansas PBS) and as a member of the Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct.

During his address, Ronnie Williams spoke of five key takeaways that he wanted everyone listening to remember: seek common ground, believe in the promise of democracy, garner broad support, unconditional love has the final word in reality, and ultimately, learn from the past.

Dr. Peterson ended the ceremony with closing remarks. She thanked Dr. Taverner, Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students Danell Hetrick, Lyon College historian Dr. Brooks Blevins, the Lyon College Athletic department, the Lyon College Advancement team, the Lyon College Marketing and Communications department, Lyon College Creative Dining Services, and the Old Independence Regional Museum for their support of the event.

Dr. Peterson also thanked the members of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day/Black History Month Planning Committee for their hard work and commitment to organizing such a successful event.

Image provided by Lyon College

Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLEOutlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5

Recommended Posts

Loading...