News 2022: UMass Dartmouth to celebrate 20th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Virtual Breakfast

The January 28 virtual event will feature inspiring remarks, musical performances, and a keynote address from best-selling author Michael Eric Dyson

On Friday, January 28, 2022, from 9 – 11:00 a.m., UMass Dartmouth will host the 20th Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast via Zoom. The theme of this year's event, "Dr. King for the 21st Century".

The event is free and open to the public, but you must register to attend.

20th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Virtual Breakfast Program

Welcome & Opening Remarks

• David A. Gomes, Chief Diversity Officer
• Jasmine Jenkins, Crime & Justice Studies Major / Political Science Minor, Class of 2022
• Narcisse Kunda, Management-Organizational Leadership & Marketing (Dual Major), Class of 2022

Musical Selection

• “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” by Dr. James Weldon Johnson & John Rosamond Johnson
• Designated by the NAACP as “The Black National Anthem”
• Performed by UMass Dartmouth D’SWORD Gospel Choir
• Accompanied by Unique Sound Band

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Video Tribute

Introduction of the Chancellor

• David A. Gomes, Chief Diversity Officer

Chancellor’s Remarks

• Dr. Mark A. Fuller

Musical Selection

• “Someday We’ll All Be Free” by Donny Hathaway and Edward Howard
• Performed by Candida Rose

Introduction of Keynote Speaker

• Narcisse Kunda, Management-Organizational Leadership & Marketing (Dual Major), Class of 2022

Keynote Address

• Dr. Michael Eric Dyson

Moderated Question & Answer Session

• David A. Gomes, Chief Diversity Officer
• Jasmine Jenkins, Crime & Justice Studies Major/Political Science Minor, Class of 2022

Gift Presentation

• Jasmine Jenkins, Crime & Justice Studies Major / Political Science Minor, Class of 2022
• Narcisse Kunda, Management-Organizational Leadership & Marketing (Dual Major), Class of 2022

Musical Selection

• “Live Through It” by James Fortune & FIYA
• Performed by UMass Dartmouth D’SWORD Gospel Choir
• Accompanied by Unique Sound Band

Closing Remarks

• David A. Gomes, Chief Diversity Officer

Musical Selection

• “Love Each Other Through” by Candida Rose
• Performed by Candida Rose

To illustrate this year's theme, the keynote address will be given by public intellectual and best-selling author Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. Dr. Dyson is the Centennial Chair at Vanderbilt University and serves as University Distinguished Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies in the College of Arts and Science and University Distinguished Professor of Ethics and Society in the Divinity School. He is also a New York Times contributing opinion writer and a contributing editor of The New Republic and ESPN's The Undefeated website.

Dr. Dyson, who came from humble roots in Detroit, has authored twenty-one books and become a prominent leader and national media fixture. He has won an American Book Award and two NAACP Image Awards. Ebony cited him as one of the 100 most influential African Americans and one of the 150 most powerful blacks in the nation.

Dyson's pioneering scholarship has had a profound effect on American ideas. His 1994 book Making Malcolm: The Myth and Meaning of Malcolm X was named one of the most important African American books of the 20th century and was also named a "Notable Book of the Year" by the New York Times. According to book industry bible Publisher's Weekly, Dyson's 2001 book, Holler if You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur, helped make books on hip hop commercially viable.

The event will also feature remarks from Chancellor Mark A. Fuller and musical performances by Candida Rose and UMass Dartmouth’s D’SWORD Gospel Choir.