By Kara Sherrer
With classes not in session, students, faculty, and staff at Vanderbilt Business took yesterday to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., MLK. The Turner Family Center for Social Ventures (TFC), the Owen Student Government Association (OSGA), and the Owen Black Students Association (OBSA) helped organize several commemorative activities for the Owen community.
Participants gathered early in Management Hall for coffee and pastries before walking to Kirkland Hall to join the rest of Vanderbilt participants and pick up their MLK Day 2018 hoodies. Everyone loaded onto buses and drove to Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church, the start of the Nashville Freedom March.
Mayor Megan Barry (MBA’93) gave brief opening remarks at the Youth Rally before the Freedom March, which took participants through the Tennessee State University campus, ending at the Howard Gentry Center. The Nashville march mirrors the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom that took place in Washington, D.C. in 1963 to protest racial discrimination, which culminated with Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
After returning to campus on the buses, Owen participants gathered again in Management Hall for group discussions over lunch, reflecting on the Freedom March and the legacy of Dr. King.
Check out social media highlights from MLK Day 2018 below.
Bus ride to MLK Walk 2018 pic.twitter.com/DNFOD3tTS1
— Consuela Knox (@ConsuelaKnox) January 15, 2018
As we think about Dr. King's legacy of peace, social justice, nonviolent action, and vision for coming together to make a difference, let us all think about what we can do for others to create a more just and equitable community and walk together towards a brighter future. pic.twitter.com/nz6bFJHiFu
— Megan Barry (@MeganCBarry) January 15, 2018
Members of the Vanderbilt University community participated in a city-wide march commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/opChCM6AUn
— Vanderbilt University (@VanderbiltU) January 15, 2018
Fun meeting Ken at the #mlknashville march and hearing about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. #MLK. Great day marching with @VanderbiltOwen and @VanderbiltU students! #MLKDay #owenlife pic.twitter.com/WGN9YNgktH
— M Eric Johnson (@DeanEricJohnson) January 15, 2018
