Martin Luther King Jr. taught and preached about many aspects of life during his lifetime, one of these being unity among all people. Based on this belief held by King, Mississippi State University will hold its 17th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Breakfast Monday at 7 a.m. in the Bill Foster Ballroom of Colvard Student Union.
Gregory D. Hunley, Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Specialist for the Office of Diversity and Equity Programs, said the unity inspired by this event is evident each year.
“I have had the opportunity to attend the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Breakfast each of the last two years,” Hunley said.
“A lot of planning and preparation is invested into this event, and each year, it has been highly successful,” he said. “It is very pleasing to witness how the community comes together to demonstrate unity while reflecting on Dr. King’s life and his work.”
The event is free to the public, including students, faculty, staff and all residents of Starkville. It usually hosts a range of people including Starkville residents, local business owners, dignitaries and government officials.
It includes breakfast, a presentation by Mayor Parker Wiseman and a performance by MSU’s Black Voices Gospel Choir.
         “The Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast is one of the signature events of the university,” Hunley said.
         Each year, a keynote speaker is also invited to speak to the attendees during the program. Tommy Stevenson, Interim Director for the Office of Diversity and Equity Programs, said in the past few years the event has hosted Washington, D.C., attorney Gregory B. Craig, attorney Constance Slaughter-Harvey and United States Marshall Nehemiah Flowers.
         This year, MSU will host racial reconciliation activist and author Dolphus Weary. Weary is the President Emeritus and Director of Development for a racial reconciliation movement known as Mission Mississippi. The goal of this group is to “encourage unity in the body of Christ across racial and denominational lines.”
         Weary authored a book entitled “I Ain’t Comin’ Back” in which he writes about his dream of leaving Mississippi and never returning. He did leave Mississippi to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology from the Los Angeles Baptist College, and he received a Master of Religious Education degree from Los Angeles Baptist Seminary. Contrary to his dream, Weary did return to Mississippi to receive a master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson.
         More recently, Weary has gained a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Waynesburg College in Waynesburg, Pa., and a Doctor of Divinity from Northwest Baptist Seminary in Tacoma, Wash. While in Tacoma, he was also honored as Alumnus of the Year and was awarded the Inaugural Leonard Morris Award for Public Service and Integrity.
         The event iws sponsored by MSU President Mark Keenum, The Office of Diversity and Equity Programs and the President’s Commission on the Status of Minorities.
         President Keenum said he has high expectations for this year’s event as well as events for years to come.
         “For the past 17 years, this breakfast has been a place for individuals of all races and faiths to pay tribute to Dr. King and reflect upon his message of unity and hope. It has featured uplifting music and inspiring messages from a wide range of dynamic speakers,” Keenum said. “I look forward to another outstanding event this year that will include participation from university staff, faculty and students as well as individuals from throughout the community. We’re honored to host the Unity Breakfast once more.”