Jan. 24, 2020
On Jan. 21, DePaul faculty, staff, students and alumni celebrated the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during the university's annual prayer breakfast held in his honor. In its 23rd year, this campus tradition educates participants about relevant contemporary issues that have an impact on the African-American community. Hosted by the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity, the event is part of the President’s Signature Speakers Series.
This year's breakfast featured keynote speaker LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund, an organization dedicated to increasing the political power of black people. A fall 2019 resident fellow at Harvard University's Institute of Politics, Brown also is an award-winning organizer and political strategist, and co-founder of Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute, which provides training and support to community-based organizations.
During the Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast, inspirational quotes were posted as a reminder of Dr. King’s legacy and his impact on social justice. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Phyllis Gregg, senior executive assistant to the president of DePaul, welcomed guests to the annual event. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Sandra Bowen, senior grant and contracts specialists for the university, leads the crowd in singing, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing," originally by James Weldon Johnson. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Guests join in singing during the morning's event. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Before breakfast, Jené Ashley Colvin, a ministry coordinator for Christian and interfaith engagement, leads guests in prayer. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
LaTosha Brown, this year's keynote speaker, opened her presentation with a traditional church hymn honoring Dr. King. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Brown is a co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund, an organization dedicated to increasing the political power of black people. During her address, she emphasized the importance of voting in order to bring about change. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
An award-winning organizer and political strategist, Brown shared with attendees a video illustrating the role youth have in affecting change in their community. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Keith Norward, a second-year student, made remarks about how Dr. King’s struggle for social justice connects with DePaul’s Vincentian mission. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
(From left to right) Jasmine Rush, Gabriella Mendoza and Kidjie Boyer, students from The Theatre School, performed a spoken word piece reflecting on Black History Month. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Students in the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity at DePaul University, performed a step tribute during the breakfast. Dr. King was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, one of the largest black fraternities in the nation. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)
Associate Professor Quinetta Shelby offered closing remarks at the breakfast. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)