Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King's life and work
GovState's Annual MLK Breakfast
By Isabella Hollingsworth-Sons, Staff Writer
As the smell of coffee, eggs, bacon, and baked goods filled the expansive Center for the Performing Arts (CPA) Stage at Governors State University (GovState) guests eagerly mingled in anticipation of a series of speakers celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King during the annual “MLK Breakfast” event.
In keeping with tradition, three GovState students received writing competition awards handed out by Dr. Rashidah Muhammad, professor of English.
“We gather today in a spirit of reverence and resolve, to honor a man who showed us that faith and action are inseparable in the pursuit of justice. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us that "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase," said Dr. Cheryl Green, President of GovState, who took a pause looking out to the crowd who in turn nodded with rapt attention.
“Today, as we consider our theme "Mission Possible - Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy," those words resonate more deeply than ever. Dr. King understood that the path to freedom and justice requires both divine guidance and human determination. He taught us that democracy is not merely a political system, but a moral imperative –a reflection of our highest spiritual aspirations for human dignity and brotherhood.”
Dr. Green was presented with a framed copy of the Diversity Versus, a poem that was written and read aloud by Joseph Woods, a GovState alumnus and mayor of Park Forest. During her investiture in 2020, Dr. Green began the first spoken word contest at GovState, the framed verses are a fitting gift paying homage to a person of excellence and heart in poetry.
The breakfast hosted by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion invited campus community members as well as high schoolers visiting from local schools.
As part of the program, the CPA invited Mr. Ira Knight to perform his one-man show, “From Myth to Man: Martin Luther King, An Interpretation” a serious and subdued monologue in the character of Dr. King., Knight spoke directly to the audience with none of the grandeur expected from Dr. King and instead “person to person”, spoke to the audience in the final few moments of Dr. King’s life.
The event concluded with Dr. Sandy Womack, the keynote speaker who spent the day at GovState visiting with Jaguars. Learn more about his mission and passion shared in an exclusive This Week at GovState (TWAG) interview.
Writing Competition Winners
3rd Place: Martina Harris - Poem: "Mission Possible: Safe Freedom, Justice, and Democracy"
2nd Place: Matilda Rustam - An Essay, "Martin Luther King's Legacy: Black Freedom and Global Struggles"
1st Place: Jameelah Houston - An Open Letter, "Dear Dr. King"