Members of the Wilkes University community gathered in the Jean and Paul Adams Commons on Tuesday, Jan. 21, to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The theme of this year’s celebration was, “It takes a village.”
Erica Acosta, director of diversity initiatives at Wilkes, explained that the program’s theme was a nod to an African proverb encouraging people to come together to care for each other and help a community thrive.
President Greg Cant welcomed the crowd, and the native of Australia noted that his first exposure to King was through the activist’s famous words. In the spirit of King’s work, Cant inspired guests to keep marching forward and stay the course, even during challenging times.
Kas Williams, associate vice president for mission integration and institutional diversity at Misericordia University and president of the Northeastern PA Diversity Education Consortium, delivered the keynote address. Prior to joining Misericordia in 2021, Williams served as the chief diversity officer at South Dakota State University. She offered a story about giving a room full of people the same medicine when most have a cold but one has a broken leg to illustrate the difference between equal and equitable. Williams encouraged attendees to stay passionate and committed. “There’s gonna be tough times, but that’s when the real work comes into play.”
Students also took the stage, with Kobina Otoo, president of the Wilkes African Cultural Association, offering an invocation. Edweana Alexis, co-president of the speech and debate, performed slam poetry, sharing, “It takes a village, and I have one of the best.” Zach Paraway, vice president of the Multicultural Student Coalition, sang the National Anthem and Jazmin High, president of Psi Chi, sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black National Anthem. Joshua Ermeus, member of the Multicultural Student Coalition, closed the program with “Amazing Grace.”
Before guests enjoyed lunch courtesy of Wilkes University’s Office of Diversity Initiatives and the Multicultural Student Coalition, Acosta invited everyone to become involved in community affairs. “Become an active participant in our village. We are stronger together.”
