Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With Faith, Hope and Community

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With Faith, Hope and Community

Wilkes University's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, sponsored by the Office of Diversity Initiatives and the Multicultural Student Coalition, featured speakers, music and a buffet lunch from Caribbean Paradise. The event honored the late civil rights icon by inspiring the audience to focus on the theme "Imani in Everyday Life."

Imani, the seventh and final principle of Kwanzaa, is a Swahili word meaning faith. For Erica Acosta, director of diversity initiatives, faith is a daily practice of believing in oneself, one another and the community. "Even when the path ahead feels uncertain, it's about trusting in your purpose and your community and the impact that you have in the world," said Acosta.

During her remarks, Acosta shared a quote from King: "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." She tied these famous words to the event's theme. "It [faith] gives us the courage to move forward with hope and belief that our peers and our community will have our backs."

Acosta welcomed LaFleur Small, associate provost for academic and diversity affairs, to the stage. Small spoke of King's dedication to equality and non-violence in the quest for human rights. She noted the start of the civil rights movement in the U.S. 72 years ago, and questioned the perspective encouraged by the passage of time, wondering, "How will the events of today look 72 years from now?"

Small noted, "Dr. King and other leaders of the civil rights movement helped to make massive changes in American culture," adding, "But their work, our work, is not finished." As part of that ongoing work, she discussed the release of the first draft of the Community and Belonging Engagement Strategic Plan which will be shared with the campus community for feedback and be implemented starting fall 2026.

Small also emphasized the importance of celebrating the diverse tapestry of Wilkes University, the Wilkes-Barre community and our nation. "As active and valued members of our community, each of us plays a crucial role in fostering a sense of belonging and engagement."

Noor Almeky, a member of the Multicultural Student Coalition, offered the invocation for the afternoon. Adrianna Aziz, a Bonner Leader and member of the Honors Program, led guests in singing of the National Anthem. Joshua Ermeus, a member of the Multicultural Student Coalition, sang the Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by James Weldon Johnson.

Following these performances, Chris Kovats-Bernat, associate professor of anthropology and director of Africana studies, offered words on King's legacy as inspiration for positive impact. "On this day, we gather not merely to remember Dr. Martin Luther King but to reckon with the fullness of his vision, the radicalism of his love and the faith that sustained him," said Kovats-Bernat. "That faith had a name long before Dr. King walked the Earth. In the Swahili-speaking communities of East Africa, they call it Imani - a word that means belief, but more than belief," said Kovats-Bernat. "Imani is faith as action, faith as collective commitment, faith in oneself, one's community and the future."

Kovats-Bernat further shared that Imani is not passive belief or wishful thinking, but action. He referred to King's quote about the arc of the moral universe bending towards justice, noting, "But that arc does not bend on its own. We bend it." While acknowledging the often hard and cynical nature of today's world, Kovats-Bernat implored action and belief in a better future.

"Imani asks that we believe in the child who has not yet been born, who will one day sit here where we are and speak of the world we built for her, the teacher who will teach and the student who will learn the history that they tried to erase, the voter who will cast the ballot that they tried to cage. Imani asks that we believe in the organizer, the healer, the artist, the marcher, the dreamer, the revolutionary who has not yet to discover their own power," said Kovats-Bernat. "Imani asks that we believe, like Dr. King, that we can build a better world, brick by brick, hand in hand, until the mountaintop is no longer a vision, but a place where we live out better tomorrows and a place that we can call home."

Joshua Harper, assistant professor of music and co-chair of the Committee on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, shared an overview of CODIE's mission to help create better tomorrows at the University. He previewed an open session in March which will give members of the campus community the chance to join CODIE for coffee and an exchange of ideas. "Everyone matters in this community, and everyone belongs in this community, but there's always work that can be done," said Harper. "That's the kind of work that we're trying to do. Thank you for showing up today, for wanting to do the work, for dreaming of a better world."

Following Harper's remarks, Wilkes student and football player Elias Dixon-Gilbert shared an introduction of the keynote speaker, Darian Bryant.

Bryant, a member of the Wilkes University football coaching staff for two seasons, combines his experience in athletics and academics to mentor student-athletes. Originally from Philadelphia, Bryant earned his bachelor's degree in African American studies and Africology from Temple University. He also holds a master's degree in global humanities from Towson University and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction in urban education from Virginia Union University.

A standout football player, Bryant participated in a rookie mini-camp tryout for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His experience as a player informs his coaching philosophy, focusing on discipline, preparation and technical development. His mission-driven approach goes beyond the sidelines, challenging student-athletes to see themselves not only as competitors on the field, but also as leaders, scholars and future difference-makers. Bryant reminds his team members that their influence has the power to shape lives long after the game ends.

Bryant spoke directly to the potential of the change-makers in the audience. "When we face dark times as a nation, we lean on faith, and that faith leads to hope, and that hope is all of you, the students and educators," he said. "Every great moment that has led to change has been led by passionate students and educators who want to see change for the betterment of their country."

Asking the audience to pause for a moment to think about the meaning of faith, Bryant shared a dictionary entry, bested by his personal definition. "Imani or faith comes from the belief that is gained from the support of your peers and the community that surrounds you as they breathe life into you daily. It allows you to soldier on through each challenge you'll face throughout your journey in society," said Bryant.

The keynote speaker emphasized the University's potential to drive progress and develop the next generation of leaders, highlighting the power of the classroom. "The classroom is the beginning of change," said Bryant. "It's the beginning of problem solving and debate. It's the incubator of knowledge and freedom, and as educators, we must foster an environment that empowers our students to lean into the idea that change comes when tough conversations are had and ideas are shared."

Highlighting the legacy of King and other civil rights leaders, Bryant once again acknowledged the challenges of our current times, encouraging attendees to focus on connection, conversation, knowledge, community and faith to light the way to a brighter future.

"This is what Imani, or faith in our everyday lives, means to me. To believe in not what has been promised to us many moons ago, but to believe in what we can build together once we push past trivial differences like Dr. King intended," said Bryant. "Faith that is active, faith that moves, faith that is built on a foundation of knowledge and love of self, faith with courage to converse and educate are the forces that are pushing us higher, again and again, in hope to build a better future, and that starts here, and that starts now."

Following the keynote address, Heaven Millirons, a student from Greater Nanticoke Area High School, sang "Stand Up" from the Harriet movie soundtrack, and the Wilkes University Chamber Singers, under the direction of Harper, provided a musical benediction with "Hear My Prayer" by Moses Hogan.

During the celebration, Catie Becker, director of civic engagement, asked the audience to help fill homework bags with snacks and handwritten notes. Becker and her student volunteers planned to deliver the homework bags to more than 200 third-grade students at Kistler Elementary School later in the week.

Acosta closed the event with a thank you and invitation to lunch, encouraging the audience to carry the spirit of Imani into their day-to-day lives on campus and in the community. "I hope everyone who heard all the wonderful speeches and songs feels moved to do better as we continue to embark on this journey together."