The spirit of Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream and the education of his teachings live on during campus celebrations of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
This year, the Black Student Union (BSU), in a combined effort with SAIL, the Office of Inclusivity and Belonging and other groups held the MLK Brunch on Monday. On Tuesday, SAIL, the PPU Writer’s Club and the Office of Inclusivity and Belonging also held “The Power of Words” Open Mic Night in the JVH Auditorium.
The MLK Brunch, which was held in Lawrence Hall 200, had a turnout of 51 people and included breakfast foods provided by CulinArt and Breugger’s Bagels along with performers. Lotus Headen, a Pioneer Star and the acting marketing and PR person for the BSU, performed for the event.
“She has a beautiful voice,” said Kayla Brown, president of the BSU. “I’m always so impressed to see my board members with hidden talents.”
Brown said people from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh came to perform as well.
The brunch also held a menstrual product drive, which was the idea of BSU Vice President Nila Payne. People attending the event were able to donate menstrual products and items they didn’t need, which could then be donated to a women’s center.
“I do want to give credit to her because she did work hard, and she partnered with SAIL,” Brown said.
Tessa Chafin, manager of diversity and belonging, said SAIL and the Office of Inclusivity and Belonging were planning a luncheon but teamed up with the BSU upon learning of the Monday brunch.
“We basically just reached out to Nila, had a little conversation and just saw how we could support them,” Chafin said. “We helped get some of the extra things right, like catering, that sort of deal.”
Chafin said the Office of Inclusivity and Belonging did events with SAIL in the past.
The Office of Inclusivity and Belonging tried to hold events on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the past, but they showed limited engagement.
“They did a wonderful, wonderful job, really,” Chafin said. “It was a truly great event and they did a great job putting it together.”
Brandon Rodgers, the BSU Advisor, said the organization focused on creating unity, creating a space that focused on the importance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community at home.
“These last few years have been everybody in their own bubble,” Rodgers said. “This board this semester is working hard to create opportunities for safe and common spaces.”
The Power of Words Open Mic Night was held the following day.
Keely Sapienza, director of SAIL and the Student Center, said she, in conjunction with the Writer’s Club and Office of Inclusivity and Belonging, wanted people to have a space on campus where they could share their voices and stories.
“[The Writer’s Club] held a little workshop to help people maybe find some things to read or help them write out some things that they wanted – to get their thoughts on pen to paper,” Sapienza said. “It had a small turn out, but I say any turn out is a really good turn out because we’re interacting with students, and getting them involved is super important. I think it was really successful.”
Sapienza said she’s proud of the students who did go to the event and shared their hearts and history. Martin Luther King Jr. Day themed events happen every year on campus.
“These events change all the time,” Sapienza said. “Last year we did more community service projects where we made a blanket.”
Sapienza said SAIL also did food drives and Martin Luther King Jr. speeches in previous years.
“We never know if students are going to come on a day off,” Sapienza said. “But hopefully in remembrance of Martin Luther King, they do.”
