Special to IFN
Guided by the theme of “Dream Big, Act Bold,” Mitchell Community College hosted a Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Event on January 16 in the spirit of empowering future leaders.
The program began with attendees hearing from Student Government Association President and Student Ambassador Joshua Davidson.
“When I was asked to speak about leadership – especially leadership inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I thought no pressure, right?” began Davidson, eliciting a chuckle from the crowd.
“We’re talking about one of the greatest leaders in history who changed the course of humanity,” continued Davidson. “Meanwhile, my biggest challenge last week was trying to convince myself to get out of bed because sometimes I feel overwhelmed. I’d like to think that even Martin Luther King Jr. had days where he felt overwhelmed. Yet his strong support system of family, friends, and allies helped support him to stay grounded and continue his work.”
Davidson acknowledged the people in his personal and academic life who have encouraged him to pursue his passion for helping others, reminding him that leadership is about service and relationships.
“Mitchell helps to inspire future leaders of tomorrow, providing them with tools, support, and opportunities to make a lasting impact on their communities and beyond,” Davidson concluded.
Guest speaker, Leslie Morrison, executive director of the nonprofit Speak Life and Live, built on Davidson’s message.
“We are here this evening to honor Dr. King Jr.’s legacy, a man whose dream continues to echo through time inspiring us to think bigger, act bolder, and empower those who will shape the future. But dreaming is not enough. Dr. King believed in collective leadership.
“To empower future leaders, we must invest in their potential, create spaces where their voices are heard, where their ideas are nurtured, and their dreams are celebrated,” Morrison continued. “That means ensuring equitable access to education, mentorship and opportunities. It means recognizing that leadership comes in many forms. It is our responsibility to prepare them. Let’s give them the tools to lead, the wisdom to dream, and the courage to act.
“Dr. King, Jr.’s dream is not frozen in history; the dream is alive in each one of us. His dream is alive in the way that we dream big, act boldly, and the way that we empower the next generation. Let us build this future together. And the dream marches on.”
The Celebration concluded with a presentation of Mitchell’s Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Achiever Award, presented to African-American male students who have demonstrated leadership and academic excellence. The student recipients of Mitchell’s 2025 MLK Jr. Dream Achiever Award are:
• Joshua Davidson;
• Josiah Wesley Smith;
• Anthony ray Murphy;
• Harold Peter Jackson;
• Jarret McIvey Sharpe;
• Keiston Larance Phifer;
• Caleb Mekhi Tillman; and
• Devon Tyrell Caldwell
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