With the theme of “The Power of the Dream: Leading Change, Lifting Community,” the 22nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Breakfast, held Jan. 16 at the University of Georgia’s Tate Student Center, called on attendees to reflect on their actions and their commitment to each other and the betterment of the community.
“Each year, this gathering gives us a chance to pause, reflect and recommit ourselves to the values that Dr. King urged us to pursue with courage and consistency — justice, dignity, opportunity and community,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Thank you all for being here to honor Dr. King and to renew our shared responsibility for his unfinished work.”
In his keynote address, Jay Bailey, president and CEO of the H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), explained that you don’t have to look far to make an impact. He shared a meaningful piece of advice from the great aunt of a friend. When asked how to change the world, she said to start “with the 3 feet around you.”
“Change is incremental, and we’ve got to think about how we start to see the people who are within the 3 feet around us,” Bailey said.
Bailey talked about his own journey, filled with ups and downs from making his first million to losing his mother at a young age, and how that affected his path forward.
“I’m a firm believer that loss creates leaders,” Bailey said. “The whole world says keep your head straight and walk straight ahead, but I’d submit to each of you that if you’ve never been on your back, I don’t know if you’ve ever truly seen the sun. It is in the darkness of our lives that we most appreciate light.”
Baily also reiterated King’s assertion that everyone can be great.
“There is something we inherently have in each of us that could fundamentally shift generations,” Bailey said. “We’ve come a long way, but never let us get weary, never let us get tired, and certainly never let us be satisfied. There is still so very far to go.”
In addition to honoring the legacy of the late civil rights leader, the Freedom Breakfast also recognizes students, faculty, staff and local community members dedicated to fostering goodwill through civic engagement with the President’s Fulfilling the Dream Award.
This year’s recipients are:
- Jhaycee Barnes, a fourth-year UGA Foundation Fellow majoring in economics and political science;
- Randy Groomes, director of professional and community engagement in the Terry College of Business; and
- Robbie Hooker, retired educator and Georgia State Director for Bailey Education Group, LLC.
The Dawn D. Bennett Alexander Inclusive Community Award was also presented to Eliza Banu, senior lecturer in the College of Engineering.
“Living and working in the south, you don’t have to search far to find reminders of the unfinished work Dr. King called us all to take on,” said Rod Guajardo, assistant to the president and university spokesperson. “Today, we honor those values by recognizing individuals who are not only inspired by Dr. King’s dream, but who are also actively helping to bring that dream to life through service, leadership and a deep commitment to others.”
As part of the event, Gabrielle Campbell, a senior at Clarke Central High School, and Londyn Walker, a freshman at Clarke Central High School, performed “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.”
Additionally, students from the Clarke County School District shared some of their writing and artwork celebrating King’s legacy around the theme “My Dream: Our Future.”
“Here at UGA and in Athens, community isn’t just a word or a place. It’s a feeling. It’s an experience,” said Alton Standifer, vice provost for academic and community engagement and chief of staff to the provost. “I hope that this morning’s program is a catalyst for renewed energy, continued dialogue and meaningful commitment to Dr. King’s lasting legacy.”