Many University students spent Monday remembering the dream of nonviolent, direct community action of one of the most influential leaders of the civil rights movement almost 42 years after he died. Martin Luther King, Jr. paved the way for 13 years of civil rights activism, and his dedication inspired the Martin Luther King Day of Service across the nation.The Office of Multicultural Affairs is hosting the 24th annual Martin Luther King Celebration with the theme of progress, prominence and power. The OMA received $5,450 from Student Government’s programming, support and initiatives fund, said Phoebe Hathorn, SG Director of Finance.More than 100 University students and community volunteers repainted and worked in the yards of two homes and Mable’s Flower Shop in Baton Rouge on Monday to honor King’s vision of community involvement.”We’re trying to do the same thing that Martin Luther King would do and strive to create equality among one another,” said Robert Hudson, international studies      sophomore.University students stood in yellow T-shirts with the words, “The next 150 years starts with me,” referencing the University’s sesquicentennial celebration this year.”Greek organizations are here,” said Keava Soil, political science junior and team leader. “We are all uniting.”The Center for Planning Excellence selected the homes through an application process, said Susan Ludwig, director of redevelopment.King believed service does not discriminate. “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve,” he said in his Drum Major Instinct speech, Feb. 4, 1968, in Atlanta.   The day ended with a candlelight vigil sponsored by Omega Psi Phi fraternity at 6 p.m. More than 50 people gathered around Memorial Tower, which was decorated with purple banners with the words, “reflect, celebrate, commit.” The crowd marched throughout campus singing inspirational hymns including, “This Little Light of Mine.”The vigil symbolized a struggle still prevalent today, said Chancellor Michael Martin. “It shows there is an understanding and acknowledgement of history,” Martin said. The processional ended with Jonathan Aganekwu, chemical engineering junior and Omega Psi Phi fraternity member, reading the introduction of King’s renowned “I Have a Dream” speech.”We all share in the dream, and the dream has not yet been completed,” said guest speaker Kwame Asante, Executive Director of the Baton Rouge NAACP chapter.The celebration will continue with its largest event, a commemorative performance Jan. 25 at First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge at 7 p.m. The performance will feature Grammy-nominated a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock.Carol Maillard, one of the ensemble’s founding members, described Sweet Honey In The Rock’s music as “intergenerational.” “There is something for everyone in the music and in the messages,” Maillard said. “It is great vocal music influenced by the African-American experience.” This year is the first the Commemorative Program will feature a musical performer instead of a keynote speaker, said Cerise Edmonds, Cross-Cultural Affairs coordinator. More than 350 people attended the program in past years, she said.  “The venue seats 1,000 people, and we’re expecting it to fill up,” Edmonds said.King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his nonviolent works toward unity and equality. He was the youngest man to receive this honor.In remembrance of King’s vision, a unity celebration will follow on Jan. 27. Students from LSU, Baton Rouge Community College and Southern University will come together in the spirit of King’s works toward unity, Edmonds said.University students will comprise the MLK Dance Ensemble. They will dance to music by a jazz ensemble from Southern while students from BRCC read a poem as an expression of unity, Edmonds said. The MLK Celebration will conclude with a Performing Arts Night on Jan. 28 in Bo Campbell Auditorium at 6 p.m.  Edmonds coordinated the MLK Celebration with a committee of students and an office staff.
All of the events are free of charge and open to the public with the exception of the Unity Celebration, which is by invitation only.–Contact Sabrina Trahan at [email protected]