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Syracuse University celebrated its 40th annual Martin Luther King Junior event on Sunday (January 26) at the JMA Wireless Dome. The event attracted a sell-out crowd and featured Sarah Willie-LeBreton, president of Smith College, as the guest speaker. Willie-LeBreton is the daughter of Charles Willie, Syracuse University's first Black tenured professor, who famously brought Dr. Martin Luther King Junior to speak at the university twice. The celebration included various performances and speeches honoring King's legacy.
The event also recognized several individuals and groups with Unsung Heroes awards. Honorees included student Andrea Rose Oates, faculty member James Dush-Agyeman, and community activist Laurence Segal. The Student Coalition on Race and Equity received recognition, and the late Jamie Jackson, a longtime university employee, was posthumously honored.
According to Syracuse.com, the event highlighted the ongoing commitment to social justice and equality, reflecting on the impact of Dr. King's work and the importance of continuing his mission.