Last month, SUNY Oswego alumni, staff and students gathered in Sheldon Hall Ballroom for the 37th annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through speeches, music, dance and more.

Each year, the event honors MLK’s life and legacy through a set theme, and this year’s focus, “Moving the Dream Forward: Music Through the Movement,” came to life through musical performances and remarks of inspiration.

Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Leadership Dorren Allen-Carr ’21 was the night’s moderator. He seamlessly transitioned each performance onto the next by describing their significance to MLK’s devotion to music as a form of connection and advocation.

Rebekah Robinson ’27 started the program off by singing James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black National Anthem. During her performance, the room filled with voices as the audience joined her in song, establishing a precedent for the rest of the night.

DeAndre Acevedo ’28 followed with a recitation of an original poem titled “PWI” or “Predominantly White Institution.” As he walked around the room, he made the crowd laugh and even fall silent at times, capturing everyone’s attention with his breathtaking words and rhymes.

The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, known as founders of the first MLK Celebration at SUNY Oswego in 1989, were also present at the event. The first speaker of the night, Michael Nedrick ’15, a fall 2012 initiate of the fraternity, tailored his remarks to the theme. He began his speech by narrating the aspects of MLK’s life to which he personally felt a connection, such as MLK’s original name being Michael and how he was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. He proceeded to talk about moving the dream forward, just as MLK did, especially through the use of music.

“If you can manage to sing a song in the toughest times of your struggle, it speaks a great deal of your character,” Nedrick said. “No matter what you go through, it’s worth it to sing.”

Inspirational advice

Nedrick talked through the doubts he felt about going back to school after 10 years. However, after delving into all that MLK did at such a young age, he learned that there is always something that can be done to push the dream forward.

“If you do not try, you will never do. If you never do, you will never fail. But if you never fail, then you will never succeed,” Nedrick said. “Keep doing whatever you have to do to push the media forward. And if you got to sing through, it’ll take you through.”

The next speech by Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Gabriel Marshall reinforced Nedrick’s words. Marshall focused on how music is a connection and shared language, and how it can move people through the hardest of times.

To showcase the power of music and the freedom of expression through movement, a dance performance by the Del Sarte Dance Club followed. The song “Tightrope” by Janelle Monáe reflected a maintenance of balance, vision and integrity regardless of the highs and lows of life.

A jazz ensemble, organized by Professor Eric Schmitz, then performed “Mr. P.C.” by John Coltrane in an Afro-Cuban style. The performance emphasized the possibilities of jazz music and the flexibility of Coltrane’s diverse tastes.

A speech by the Student Association President Oghenetega Adjoh ’26 followed with words on leadership. She emphasized the courage and bravery that MLK had in speaking up because silence was more dangerous. Adjoh highlighted the importance of leading with actions, not just words, in creating spaces where everyone’s voice can be heard.

The last performance before the keynote speaker was held by the Syracuse Gospel Choir. The performance was a dedication to MLK’s loyalty to his faith. The room filled with audience members dancing, clapping and singing in their seats.

James Dekle of Purdue University, the event’s keynote speaker, ended the celebration with musical talent and insightful words. He began by singing two of MLK’s favorite songs, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” by Thomas A. Dorsey and “If I Can Help Somebody” by Alma Androzzo, encouraging the audience to sing along. Dekle then talked through a presentation exploring how music influenced MLK’s life and the people fighting alongside him.

A final performance singing the most prominent anthem throughout MLK’s life, “We Shall Overcome” by Charles Albert Tindley, involved the entire room. Every audience member, performer and speaker stood up from their seats and proudly sang the lyrics to demonstrate the power of music and its ability to connect.

-- Written by Kayla Kubelka of the Class of 2026 for University Advancement