Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
From 1991 through 2005, Southeast Missouri State University held a holiday breakfast to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 2006, King’s eldest son, Martin Luther King III, was the keynote speaker of a celebration dinner, which initiated a new tradition that continues to garner growing involvement by students and the public.
2006 2012 Martin Luther King III L. Douglas Wilder Human Rights Advocate and Political Leader First Elected African-American Governor (Virginia) Son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., King is a human rights advocate, L. Douglas Wilder was the first elected African-American governor, achieving community activist and political leader. Since early childhood, he has a racial milestone in U.S. history. Throughout his esteemed public service motivated audiences around the world with his poignant messages of hope career, he garnered numerous awards and honors including the Bronze and responsibility and has taken the torch lit by his father to continue the Star, the NAACP Spingarn Medal, the Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Medallion of quest for equality and justice. Honor, and a Citation of Honor for Contributions to American Politics.
2007 2013 Myrlie Evers-Williams John Legend Author and First Female Chair of the NAACP Recording Artist, Singer/Songwriter and Philanthropist For more than three decades, Evers-Williams fought to carry on the legacy Acclaimed recording artist, concert performer and philanthropist John Legend of her husband, murdered civil rights activist Medgar Evers. She has become is a nine-time Grammy Award winner and was one of Time magazine’s a symbol of courage and perseverance, steadfast in her march toward social 100 most influential people. Among his prestigious awards are the BET justice. Evers-Williams made history by becoming the first woman to lead Humanitarian of the Year Award, the CARE Humanitarian Award for Global the NAACP. Change and the 2009 Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award from Africare.
2008 2014 Herman Boone and Bill Yoast Clarence B. Jones Coaches of “Remember the Titans” Political Advisor and Speechwriter In 1971, as racial tensions ran high at TC Williams High School, Jones served as political advisor, counsel and draft speechwriter for Dr. three schools merged to form a newly integrated one. Out of this Martin Luther King, Jr. and drafted the celebrated “I Have a Dream” experience, the story of “Remember the Titans” was born. Coached speech. Jones became the first African-American to partner in a Wall by Boone and Yoast, the team was motivated to win the state Street banking firm, was twice recognized as Fortune’s Business Man championship that year. of the Month, and founded successful financial, corporate and media- related ventures.
2009 2015 Michael Eric Dyson Soledad O’Brien Best-Selling Author, Scholar and Cultural Critic Journalist and Producer Michael Eric Dyson – an American Book Award recipient and two-time One of the most sought-after journalists of the day, O’Brien’s reporting NAACP Image Award winner– is among the nation’s most influential and garnered CNN an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award. She renowned public intellectuals. He was named one of the 100 most powerful was named journalist of the year by the National Association of Black African-Americans by Ebony magazine. The Philadelphia Weekly contends Journalists and one of Newsweek magazines “10 People who Make America that Dyson “is reshaping what it means to be a public intellectual by Great.” O’Brien launched Starfish Media Group, dedicated to producing becoming the most visible black academic of his time.” empowering stories that examine issues of race, class and wealth.
2010 2016 Christopher Gardner Wes Moore Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Author and Philanthropist Gardner is the owner and CEO of Gardner Rich, LLC, with offices in New A New York Times Best Seller List author, Moore’s first book tells the tale York, Chicago and San Francisco. Conquering grave challenges to become a of two kids with the same name living in the same decaying city. One grew successful entrepreneur, Gardner is an avid motivational speaker, addressing up to be a Rhodes Scholar and White House Fellow. The other is serving the keys to overcoming obstacles and breaking cycles. He has received a life sentence for killing a police officer during an armed robbery. Moore the NAACP Image Award for both the book and the movie versions of his founded organizations to help youth in the criminal justice system and to autobiographical story, “The Pursuit of Happyness.” address college completion and job placement.
2011 2017 Roland Martin Mary Frances Berry Award-Winning Journalist and CNN Contributor Author and Civil Rights Advocate Award-winning journalist and CNN contributor Roland Martin is one of the Mary Frances Berry has been one of the most respected voices in our most high-profile African-Americans in media. An insightful and provocative nation’s civil rights, gender equality, and social justice movements. analyst, his appearances include “The Situation Room,” “Anderson Cooper Serving as chairperson of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Berry 360º,” and “Lou Dobbs Tonight.” Martin won more than 30 professional led the charge for equal rights and liberties for all Americans over the awards for journalistic excellence, including the NAACP Image Award for course of four presidential administrations. Berry’s books cover a range Best Interview for “In Conversation: The Sen. Barack Obama Interview.” of subjects, from the history of constitutional racism in America to the politics of parenthood.
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