A group of students marched from Stafford Commons to Harris Field Friday for March Like Martin, an event commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and call for shared purpose and empowerment.
The program was a collaboration between NC State LIVE, The Gregg Museum of Art & Design, Fraternity and Sorority Life, African American Cultural Center, Arts NC State and Multicultural Student Affairs.
Jameco McKenzie is the director of Multicultural Student Affairs and was an organizer and participant at the March Like Martin event. He said the week’s programming had been all about connecting students through King’s message of unity.
“This week is really important to think about connectedness and how we help people come together and understand Dr. King’s vision and really have that shared purpose,” McKenzie said.
March Like Martin began with a gathering outside the Talley Student Union, where students picked up free commemorative T-shirts and created signs with materials provided by organizers.
During the march toward Witherspoon Student Center, student leaders CJ Jones, a third-year studying applied nutrition, and Izayah Horne, a fourth-year studying agricultural business, led chants such as, “What are we? Martin’s dream!” and “We want love! We want peace!”
The Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the first intercollegiate fraternity founded by African American men, carried a banner with the marchers. Members wore their black and gold jackets with pride as they hoisted signs with messages like, “As we rise, we lift others.”
The theme of this year’s MLK Commemoration week was “Lifting as You Climb: Honoring Legacy and Empowering the Future.”
On Jan. 20, Witherspoon Student Center hosted a panel of keynote speakers, including student leaders and faculty. The week also held a Chat N Chew Community Conversation and Dinner, workshops with the theme “Illuminating the Climb” and a film screening of Professor Jason Miller’s new film, “Origins of the Dream.”
McKenzie said turnout for the week’s event was good and representative of the student population’s diversity.
“We had lots of different students. There were many students from the Honors Program that came to our events. A lot of the [National Pan-Hellenic Council] fraternities and sororities,” McKenzie said. “And, just generally, students, some who have never visited our space before, who talked about seeing the advertisement and wanting to be involved and really getting connected.”
After the march, Danielle Moody, a third-year studying fashion and textile management, gave a keynote address emphasizing the values of King.
“While pondering Dr. King’s legacy, I was able to define what living ‘Lifting as You Climb’ truly meant to me,” Moody said. “I landed on three points: to serve with purpose, to grow with intention and to lead and in a way that ensures no one has to rise alone.”
Moody said it was important to lift each other up through everything, in big or small ways, so that no one has to struggle to achieve their goals.
Afterwards, Ranky Tanky, a group that performs a combination of jazz, gospel, soul and Gullah music, presented two lively songs featuring powerful vocals and trumpet solos that cut through the room.
That afternoon, participants were also invited to the African American Cultural Center for a kickback and discussion with food, music, games and a welcoming environment.
McKenzie said that NC State hopes to create an environment where every student can feel connected to King’s message and find a space that feels right for them.
“The beauty of Dr. King is that his message illuminates and connects with everyone across different identity groups, across different experiences,” McKenzie said.
