search
Donate

Ohio University honors MLK’s legacy with annual march and brunch

By:
Posted on:

< < Back to ohio-university-honors-mlks-legacy-with-annual-march-and-brunch

ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio University held its annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life Saturday morning with a silent march and brunch.

The celebration started with a silent march at Gailbreth Chapel where students, faculty, and staff stood together arms linked as they silently marched to Baker Center where the brunch was held.\

Community members walk through college green at Ohio University while participating in the silent march to honor Martin Luther King Jr., in Athens, Ohio, on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Community members walk through college green at Ohio University while participating in the silent march to honor Martin Luther King Jr., in Athens, Ohio, on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated organized this year’s celebration with the theme of Unity: Unity, Community, and Opportunity. Attendees of the event marched together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King for his work towards racial equality and justice for all. A balloon release was organized by Je’Sean Williams President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated to honor all the essential workers and those who suffered during the pandemic.

The president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated Phi Chapter Je’Sean Williams, said “we want the people of Athens people everywhere to remember his legacy, his impact on society and wants people to think of ways they can impact the world positively and change the world in their own way.”

Je’Sean Williams, a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and a sponsor of the event, speaks to attendees at a brunch honoring Martin Luther King Jr., in Athens, Ohio, on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Je’Sean Williams, a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and a sponsor of the event, speaks to attendees at a brunch honoring Martin Luther King Jr., in Athens, Ohio, on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
The brunch featured a to-go box brunch service to limit the capacity due to COVID, performances from O-U- organizations, and special keynote speaker Patricia Russell-McCloud, Esq. At the end of the brunch, all students received a copy of her signed book titled My Journal: Myself inside and out. 

Patricia Russell-McCloud, Esq referenced the quote by Langston Hughes during her speech with the question “What happens to a dream deferred?” She wants students to know “focus on the possible, don’t rehearse yesterday, build tomorrow.”

Ohio university will continue to have its annual MLK celebration with a week-long of events honoring Dr. King’s life and legacy with a new theme each year. This year’s theme centered around unity makes people realize “we are better together” as Russell-McCloud said.

Patricia Russell-McCloud, keynote speaker for Ohio University’s brunch honoring Martin Luther King Jr, speaks to attendees, in Athens, Ohio, on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Patricia Russell-McCloud, keynote speaker for Ohio University’s brunch honoring Martin Luther King Jr, speaks to attendees, in Athens, Ohio, on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]