MLK Scholars Meet Harvard Scholar, Reflect on Symposium
Tuesday, January 24th, 2023
Kahlil Muhammad, Ph.D., Kennedy School, Harvard, delivered the keynote address. Muhammad is the Ford Foundation Professor of History, Race, and Public Policy at the Kennedy School (officially the John F. Kennedy School of Government), the school of public policy and government at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He directs the Institutional Antiracism and Accountability Project and is the former Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City, New York. Muhammad watched the MLK Scholar presentation with great interest and spent time talking with them when they finished. He offered words of appreciation for their research and encouraged them in their future endeavors.
Rev. Dr. Forrest Pritchett also presented an overview of the academic impact of the MLK Leadership Program on the Seton Hall culture and on its course offerings. In addition to the MLK Day Symposium, all first-year scholars complete the MLK Honors Seminar. The University Core Program, Journey of Transformation course, requires students to listen to Rev. King’s last speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” and prepare a thorough analysis of it. He was joined by fifteen other faculty from the various schools at Seton Hall, who applied their disciplinary skills to the issues of oppression, liberation, equity, etc.
At the conclusion of the full-day Symposium, in-person attendees also participated in the South Orange Maplewood (SOMA) MLK Day Luminary Project, which encourages South Orange and Maplewood residents to decorate and place luminary paper bags on their sidewalks, driveways, etc., to show solidarity and agreement with MLK’s mission of peace and harmony. In-person attendees received a small bag, an electronic candle and markers to produce their personalized luminary bag.
MLK Scholars Reflect on their Participation and the Presentation by Dr. Muhammad
Camille Maxwell from Arlington Massachusetts | Biology, Class 2026
On January 16th, I attended the MLK Symposium, listening and taking notes on all of the speakers who presented. The Symposium was not only a way to learn about the past but to understand its impact on the present and how we can impact our own future. It is important to honor Dr. King’s work but also to acknowledge the further impact his leadership had on creating and inspiring new organizations and movements, as well as his legacy that we must carry on today. During the Symposium, both aforementioned concepts were demonstrated, as professors and those well-researched in Civil Rights history shared the key figures, movements, and historical events, and our administration and other staff in our community demonstrated their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and understanding through programs and initiatives. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. worked to organize and empower, I left the Symposium with a new sense of inspiration and a better idea of how I could get involved in my community.
Siara Dorch from Irvington, New Jersey | Political Science, Class of 2026
I was born in Irvington, New Jersey, grew up in Roselle, New Jersey, and currently live in North Brunswick. Since I moved around a lot, I never had to chance to connect to my community. Being involved in MLKSA in college and helping at the Symposium taught me further information about Dr. King and about my community. Being able to hear faculty input on the legacy of Dr. King made me realize that he didn’t only influence the black community but everyone, no matter the color. The Symposium was a safe place for communication and questions. Although it was lengthy, it trained me for more professional events in the future as well. Conversating with my peers about each presentation allowed me to extend everyone’s opinions. I am a political science major in the dual degree program for law, and being able to communicate and expand on one’s knowledge is salient. The Symposium expanded my network and introduced me to different professors that will teach my classes in the future. Being involved in the Symposium pushed me closer and closer to my dream of being an attorney.
Taiyonna Fitzgerald from Elizabeth, New Jersey | Psychology and Philosophy, Legal
Studies in Business and Political Science
As a presenter for this Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. Day Symposium, I was able to dig deep into what it meant to be a civil rights leader. It was an honor to be able to present in front of such a prestigious crowd. The event was such a great opportunity in terms of the connections I could make and in terms of my presentation and communicative skills. I will also admire Dr. King for his amazing passion and dedication. I can only hope I will be half as dedicated as he was.
Stephanie Isabel from Lodi, NJ | Chemical Engineering 3+2 Program, Class 2026
At the Dr. Martin Luther King Day Symposium, I displayed a presentation with my peers on the principles presented in the book “Martin Luther King on Leadership” I also was a part of the group of volunteers that helped check everyone in. While I was sitting and hearing these intelligent individuals talk about racism and the injustices that the world faced today it gave me a new perspective on how I see certain situations and inspired me to be more aware of my faults. I have stayed away from the catholic religion because of how the people who follow the religion use the Bible to put down instead of uplift, and to hear that not all people are like that and that the book itself is very loving is refreshing as people now use the Bible is a sword instead of a shield nowadays. I loved what Professor Mott had to say about LBTQ+ issues and how everyone is homophobic because our society is inherently homophobic. He shocked me when he said that he was homophobic and explained why he is. I honestly would love to take one of his courses in the future. Overall, the Symposium made me rethink some of my ways of thinking and realize what is obviously there but often ignored.
Hannah Tate from Katy, Texas | Secondary/Special Education and English, Class of 2024,
Being a presenter at the Martin Luther King Day Symposium was an honor. Although I felt extremely nervous about presenting on such an important topic, I felt tremendously supported by my fellow presenters and mentors - Dr. Pritchett and Professor Moore. Dr. King embodied Christ. Ever since the moment I saw his monument in Washington, DC, and I have felt moved by his existence. Having the honor of presenting on such a wonderful man’s leadership skills is an experience I will never forget. I was also moved in particular by the portion of the Symposium that discussed racism in the Bible. I feel that it is extremely important to acknowledge the flawed nature of humans while also recognizing our dignity. In conclusion, I feel extremely proud to have been a part of the 2023 MLK Day Symposium.
The Seton Hall Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Program was established in 1970. This program is in its sixth decade of producing graduates with outstanding leadership records, including Outstanding Student Organization of the Year Awards. Graduates received national fellowships to pursue graduate and doctoral study, i.e., Ford Foundation Fellowship Program for Minority Students to complete Ph.D. in science, National Health Service Corps, etc. as well as White House citations for extraordinary volunteer efforts.
For more information, please visit the MLK Leadership Program website.
Categories: Arts and Culture, Campus Life, Faith and Service, Nation and World
