Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz Reflects on Legacy, Justice and Collective Action at 43rd SIUE MLK Luncheon

Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz Reflects on Legacy, Justice and Collective Action at 43rd SIUE MLK Luncheon

Students, faculty, staff and community members gathered Wednesday, Jan. 21, in the Meridian Ballroom at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for the 43rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon, highlighted by a keynote address from Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, award-winning author, educator and global voice for human rights. The event blended artistic performances, community recognition and reflection on Dr. King's legacy, with Shabazz calling on attendees to embrace unity, healing and collective action.

The luncheon opened with moving performances from the community, including selections by the SIUE East St. Louis Performing Arts Program. Musical performances, including a vocal rendition of the song "Lean on Me" and dance selections to music from the film "Woman King," underscored the program's emphasis on collective strength, reflection and vibrant culture. SIUE's Black Theater Workshop orated, "A Dream for Change," incorporating elements from Langston Hughes prose, imagery of birds with broken wings and social commentary reflective of an earlier America in need of reform.

An award ceremony followed, recognizing students, educators and community leaders whose work reflects the principles of service, scholarship and justice. Honors included student scholarships, local youth essay and visual arts awards, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Humanitarian Award, celebrating individuals whose leadership and service extend beyond the University into the broader community. This year the honors were given to Jaye P. Willis, executive director of the East St. Louis Historical Society.

The program culminated with a keynote address by Shabazz, who reflected on legacy, self-determination and the enduring relevance of Dr. King's vision. Recalling the loss of her father, Malcolm X, Shabazz spoke of her mother's strength and resolve.

"Despite witnessing her husband's assassination, despite enduring the unimaginable, my mother chose not to live a life of despair or bitterness," said Shabazz. "Instead, she kept my father's essence- his love, values and humanity- at the center of our family's household."

Shabazz emphasized that the legacies of her father and Martin Luther King Jr. should not be viewed in opposition, but as complementary paths toward justice.

"People often whisper to me that they were on the side of Malcolm, or that they were on the side of Martin," she said. "We do not have to choose sides. Both Malcolm and Martin shared the same mission- to challenge an unjust world."

Quoting her father, Shabazz called attention to the difference between surface-level change and genuine progress.

"If you stick a knife in my back nine inches and pull it out six inches, there's no progress. If you pull it all the way out, that's not progress. There's an open wound. Progress is healing the wound that the blow made."

Building on that message, Shabazz called for collective healing grounded in self-love and shared responsibility.

"Everybody needs healing because we've been misinformed, miseducated and everything else and so growing up. My parents made sure my sisters and I were exposed to lessons that empowered us to love ourselves so we never relied on others to determine our self-worth. The greatest gift they gave me today allows me to see you as a reflection of me and me as a reflection of you."

The luncheon followed Shabazz's student-focused Fireside Chat and Q&A session held the previous day, reinforcing SIUE's ongoing commitment to fostering open dialogue, education and action in honor of Dr. King's legacy. The moderated discussion emphasized education as liberation, identity as a foundation, and community service as a way of life. Students posed questions about activism, joy in the face of injustice, the future of education and how to build inclusive spaces.

The 43rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon highlighted the power of reflection paired with action. The 2026 award recipients listed below embody Dr. King's legacy and point toward a shared path forward.

2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Award Recipients

• Jaiden Dowell, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
• Ameeriyah Lambert, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
• Kye Oswald, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
• Neshay Sanders, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville