Berea College faculty, staff, students, and members of the Berea community gathered on Monday January 20, 2020 to honor the memory and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event was hosted at the Carter G. Woodson Center with the theme of “We Still Speak. Living the Legacy of Dr. King: Past, Present, and Future.
The celebration began at 10 a.m. at Union Church with speeches from Mayor of Berea Bruce Fraley, Chief of Police Eric Scott, and President of Berea College Lyle Roelofs. This was followed by a performance by the Black Music Ensemble, as well as a program by Berea Community members highlighting the voices of the Civil Rights Movement. Participants then marched to the First Christian Church where the commemoration continued with music from the Berea College Folk Roots Ensemble and speeches from visiting religion professor Leonard Curry and interim Vice President of Alumni and College Relations Dr. Chad Berry.
Following a lunch break at the Berea College Alumni building, Reverend Dr. Bernard LaFeyette led a Berea College Convocation titled “In Peace and Freedom : My Journey in Selma.” After Dr. LaFeyette’s discussion, the celebration ended with a reception at the Carter G. Woodson Center for Interracial Education. Overall, the day was a memorable opportunity for participants to contemplate the legacy of Dr. King, and to focus on the present-day fight for equality, honor the movement of the past, and envision where we will go with Dr. King’s legacy in the 21st century.
