Members of the Emporia community gathered in the Preston Family Room of Memorial Union on Jan. 23 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Dinner. 

The annual event is one of many campus opportunities to speak with community members with different experiences, to reflect on those experiences and to learn about community resources that exist to expand on diverse ideas. Mike Torres, Director of the Intercultural Center, spoke about connection and reflection in a brief speech during the dinner. 

“The MLK dinner is a chance for us to get together, campus and community, to make sure that all of our student groups are doing important work and are also connecting with local groups,” said Torres. “MLK’s life and legacy was about leadership and service and action.”

To reflect that attitude of service and connection, a range of different groups representing different communities were present to honor the civil rights icon. One such organization was the Emporia Eastside Community Group, a team dedicated to planning activities to ensure the safety and friendliness of the local community. Also present were members from Men of Excellence, the Black Student Union and Sister Circle, student organizations dedicated to providing activities and open spaces for members of historically marginalized groups. 

Attendees were also given the opportunity to provide service to members of the Emporia community. At the MLK Day of Service on Jan. 22, students wrote letters of encouragement to community members in need of services like Corky’s Cupboard. Attendees of the commemoration dinner were encouraged to do the same. 

In his speech, Torres emphasized the importance of seeking help whenever it is needed and offered the Intercultural Center as a resource. 

“If you all ever need support on campus,” he said, “please come by the Intercultural Center and visit with the people who are in our division.”