Celebrating MLK: Where there’s hope

Hope. That's the thrust of the message that Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz brought to Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) students during her keynote speech on Friday. Her remarks to nearly 400 GGC students were the centerpiece of a day to honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I want them to understand that they have both the power and responsibility to continue this work in their own communities," she said. "Each generation must do more than stand on the shoulders of those who came before; they must chart their own course toward justice. As the saying goes, 'if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.' This work isn't just about surviving - it's about thriving and doing so, together."

As the daughter of the late Malcolm X, she also shared personal stories about the interactions of the two families during a Q&A session after her speech.

"Dr. King and my father both knew that to change the world, we need more than words," she said. "We need action at every level, from our educational systems to our justice system. This wisdom reminds us that while our moral compass reveals injustice, it is our responsibility to work toward justice."

Shabazz then sat with GGC health science student and Q&A moderator Avanti Moore, a third-year student who lives in Buford, Ga., to answer some audience questions.

"I was extremely honored to have this chance," she said. "It felt like I had been preparing for this my whole life. It reminded me and everyone there the importance of a sense of community, how life is bigger than yourself, and giving back."

At GGC, celebrating the legacy of MLK is an annual tradition that centers around community and service.

"Our students have the opportunity to actively engage in activities that benefit our community," said JP Peters, assistant director of student outreach and service. "It's acts of service like bags to mats, seed packing and Grizzly Thrift that teach our students the value of helping others."

Students weave plastic grocery bags into mats that the unhoused can use. Seed packing is putting together seeds that can be planted to grow food, and Grizzly Thrift is the collecting and sorting of gently used clothing that is made available for students. Students also gather for campus cleanup and beautification projects.

"Having Dr. Shabazz here to talk to our students about Dr. King helps bring his legacy to life," said Peters. "Her words of inspiration and empowerment are things that I hope our students will carry with them in their lives. Together, we can make a positive difference."

View and download MLK Day of Service gallery photos.