Honoring Dr. King's legacy: College reflects, celebrates civil rights leader
By invoking the words of the iconic civil rights leader, speakers at Meridian Community College's Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration reminded the audience true character is revealed in times of challenge and controversy, not in moments of comfort.
The College has hosted this celebration of the life of Dr. King for more than three decades.
Keynote speaker Jason Gibson emphasized the role of mentors and motivators in life.
"I'm standing in a room of leaders, change agents, and creative innovators. I'm here
to tell you one of the many characteristics of a good leader is one who will take
the scars – one who will take the bruisings, one who will take a route that's a bit
more painful, who will take a route that's even more complicated or uncomfortable
the one who will go the road less traveled all for the sake of those who are coming
behind them," he told the McCain Theater audience.
He added, "I'm a firm believer that there would be no Barack Obama, no Kamala Harris if it weren't for Shirley Chisolm … Shirley Chisolm took the scars."
Gibson is the department chair and assistant professor of history at Tougaloo College, and his research interests include the evolution of the Civil Rights Movement as a theory and practice.
He continued explaining that lives are shaped by the decisions of countless ancestors, who preserved through hardships and expressed hope for future generations.
Also, during the program, Ronald J. Turner Sr., executive director of the Meridian Housing Authority, was named the Billy C. Beal Award recipient. The award recognizes outstanding community involvement.
Creative works illustrating this year's program's theme, "Empowering the Dream Through Hope, Courage, and Unity," were showcased by creative contest winners from high schools and community college. The high school's first-place winner was Taleah Anderson, the second-place winner was Fredrick Liddell Jr., and the third-place winner was Tamiyiah King. Simone Henry won the college division.
The winners of the Charles L. and Doretha Young Family Scholarship were MCC students Pedro Gonzales, Kanedria Page, and Lane Mercer. Each received a $1,500 scholarship.
MCC President Dr. Tom Huebner noted the College's annual event offers the opportunity to celebrate Dr. King's life, work, and vision wholly committed to an ideal bigger than himself. Dr. Huebner added, "His ability to mobilize, inspire, lead, and orchestrate change should motivate all of us to think about what we can do and what we can be."
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu