The Office of Multicultural Affairs and Center for Social Concern joined hands with the Dayton community to march downtown in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16.

The march was organized by the newly formed MLK Dayton group, a collection of area citizens whose mission is to continue the advancement of King's work.

The University of Dayton, Wright State University and Sinclair Community College collaborated with MLK Dayton for this year's events, said Chase Jones, OMA graduate assistant.

"Because we have collaborated with so many different partners this year, we have had the opportunity to reach out to some different niches this year," Jones said. "We have really brought a number of individuals together and we have seen a lot of great vision come out of it."

The march began with a breakfast at 10 a.m. at the OMA in Gosiger Hall, Jones said. The group later marched to the corner of Stewart and Patterson streets where they joined the rest of the Dayton community.

The march ended at the Dayton Convention Center where a rally ensued and various workshops were available for attendees, Jones said. The event ended with a speech from the Rev. Dr. Lewis Brogdon, director of Black Church Studies at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, according to the MLK Dayton website.

"It has always been a great event to raise awareness about the issues Dr. King stood for," said Nick Cardilino, director of the Center for Social Concern.

Fred Cox, a senior sociology major who participated in the event, said the march showed a sign of solidarity.

Martin Luther King Jr. identified himself as a human rights activist rather than a civil rights activist, Cox said.

"[Martin Luther King Jr. Day exists] not to just bring attention to civil rights, but human rights," Cox said.

Mat Cotton, a junior international studies major who coordinated Martin Luther King Day activities, said the event was an opportunity for community building in the greater Dayton area.

"UD students have a unique presence in the Dayton community," Cotton said. "Young people look up to them. I would like to encourage UD students to be aware of how to take their talents and apply them to the progress of the city."

UD continued the celebration of King's life and work with a week of events. The events included a Speaker Series lecture from Ebony Utley, author of "Rap and Religion: Understanding the Gangsta's God."

In addition to the lecture, there was a day of unity and an open microphone session with students from Wright State University and Sinclair Community College, said Jones.

The week will conclude Friday, Jan. 20, with screenings of the movie "How I am Living the Dream" on televisions throughout Kennedy Union all day. Additionally, the Program for Exchange and Engagement Resources for Students will have its regular First Friday meeting. PEERS is a mentoring program sponsored by the OMA.

Daria-Yvonne Graham, associate director of the OMA, said she believes the events were opportunities for students to have structured discussions that they are already having about social issues.

"[We tried] our best to stretch our thoughts about Dr. King," Graham said.

Cox said the events allowed students to expand King's dream and apply his legacy to current issues such as sexism or homophobia.

"I think UD puts a great effort to really recognize this week to become socially engaged," he said. "I would definitely give them a thumbs up."

Graham hopes the ideas from the events will stay with students after the week has ended.

"Hopefully the campus will continue to celebrate the fight for peace and justice," she said. "We will continue to try to find ways to live the dream."



University of Dayton students march in downtown Dayton alongside Sinclair Community College and Wright State University students and area community members in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan 16.