SVSU hosted the 17th annual Great Lakes Bay Region Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Jan. 22 at Malcolm Field Theater.
The auditorium was filled with community members for an evening honoring leadership, service, and civic impact. Author and business leader Cynt Marshall served as keynote speaker and held a book signing following the program.
WNEM TV-5 anchor Colette Boyd was the mistress of ceremony for the event. She began by recognizing the Indigenous peoples of Saginaw County.
“This annual holiday gives us all a chance to really reflect on the past while fostering hope, determination, and the promise of a better future,” Boyd said.
SVSU President George Grant Jr reflected on Dr King’s courage and humanity.
“Dr King was not a superhero,” Grant said. “[He] was a man. The first time he went to jail, he was scared, [but even] if we’re scared, [we] can stand up… because we know that there will be a better day.”
Fifteen high school students from the Tri-City Area received the annual MLK Regional Scholarship, recognizing their service and leadership. A short video highlighted the students’ hopes for continuing Dr King’s legacy. The Drum Major Award was also presented to four community members for their contributions to the region.
SVSU introduced the Dr Mamie T. Thorns and Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award for the first time, honoring two SVSU students — Reese Beery, a freshman marketing major and Emily Northrup, an elementary education major — for their compassion and service.
Dr. Thorns shared the origins of this award.
“Thank you so much to… all of those who stepped up because [we didn’t know] where we were going to get the money from,” she said. “Within two to three weeks, we raised enough money for two scholarships.”
Beery shared her thoughts about the award and also left some advice for students looking to serve the community.
“It feels like a recognition not just of my individual efforts, but of the values I try to live by,” Beery said. “Start where you are, and get involved in causes you genuinely care about.”
The evening concluded with a fireside conversation between Cynt Marshall and moderator Elizabeth Atkins.
Marshall is the award winning author of “You’ve Been Chosen,” and a longtime advocate for people-centered leadership. She shared stories from her childhood, career and personal challenges.
“I had two books in my hand at an early age: a math book in one hand and a bible in the other.”
Marshall spoke candidly of her cancer diagnosis and how she battled it with positivity. She recounted key moments of her tenure as President of AT&T for North Carolin, and she recalled encounters with President Barack Obama and a cold call from Mark Cuban that led her to her role as CEO of Dallas Mavericks.
“[Truth] is in us — that’s what Dr. King was about,” Marshall said. “It is in us to always do the right thing.”
Courtesy Photo | Jeff Schrier
