Students gathered in assembly on Monday to celebrate the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The celebration included readings from scripture and the writings of Dr. King. The community joined in a litany crafted with the words of A Letter from a Birmingham Jail, followed by a viewing of Dr. King’s 1964 Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech. Chaplain White emphasized the profound optimism in Dr. King’s vision citing King’s affirmation that ‘the “is-ness” of human nature cannot hinder the “ought-ness” of what the human community can be.” Shawnda Clark ’01, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, concluded the program with an invitation to specific action steps promoting equity, justice and cultivating a beloved community.

Watch Shawnda's Speech >