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is passionate about celebrating and honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. An activist, author, and academic, Dr. Williams hopes members of the University community �Ӱ�ԭ�� and individuals across the nation �Ӱ�ԭ�� honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., not just on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, but every day.

Dr. Williams, who presented a virtual lecture during the Spring 2021 semester, recently visited campus as the distinguished speaker for the culminating event of the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s weeklong MLK Celebration. During his keynote address, Dr. Williams compared Dr. King�Ӱ�ԭ��s words and teachings to the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s mission, which he says correlates with many of the topics Dr. King discussed throughout his lifetime.

�Ӱ�ԭ��Dr. King�Ӱ�ԭ��s values are our values,�Ӱ�ԭ�� said Dr. Williams, an author whose scholarly work has appeared in numerous publications, such as the . �Ӱ�ԭ��When you talk about issues of racial or social justice, such as LGBTQ+ issues or environmental justice, you�Ӱ�ԭ��re not deviating from the mission of the University. You�Ӱ�ԭ��re actually helping the University live its mission.�Ӱ�ԭ��

�Ӱ�ԭ��Dr. King shined a light on injustices�Ӱ�ԭ��

Dr. Williams, who was born in Bridgeport, is a distinguished university chair and professor at the in St. Paul, Minnesota. He also serves as the founding director of St. Thomas�Ӱ�ԭ��s , which focuses on supporting racial justice education, research, fostering community partnerships, and encouraging dialogue.

While discussing the �Ӱ�ԭ��triplets�Ӱ�ԭ�� of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism that Dr. King warned about, Dr. Williams explained that these issues �Ӱ�ԭ��continue to color our contemporary experience.�Ӱ�ԭ�� Reflecting on the critical role of education, Dr. Williams stressed the importance of �Ӱ�ԭ��intelligence plus character,�Ӱ�ԭ�� and that a college degree should equate with growth. He told students that their time at the University is a �Ӱ�ԭ��training ground�Ӱ�ԭ�� for the next phase of action they will take.

�Ӱ�ԭ��Young people, we have a tendency to tell you that you stand on the shoulders of giants,�Ӱ�ԭ�� he said. �Ӱ�ԭ��That is a lie. You do not stand on the shoulders of giants. You are the giants.�Ӱ�ԭ��

Dr. Williams told the University community that Dr. King became the leader we venerate today, in part, because he embraced what it meant to be a giant. But, he reminded students that in order to be able to embrace what it means to be a giant, they must first learn from giants.

�Ӱ�ԭ��MLK's work at the University of New Haven is focused on education,�Ӱ�ԭ�� said Ophelie Rowe-Allen, Ed.D., dean of students and co-chair of the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s MLK Celebration Committee. �Ӱ�ԭ��The role of education and equal access was Dr. King's focus during his fight for civil rights. Dr. King shined a light on injustices, changed hearts and minds, and inspired generations through education. I believe as a Charger Community we can do the same, step by step.�Ӱ�ԭ��

�Ӱ�ԭ��Charger or challenger? I can�Ӱ�ԭ��t tell the difference�Ӱ�ԭ��

Held in the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s Beckerman Recreation Center and , the event included a ceremony during which members of the University community were recognized for their commitment to embodying Dr. King�Ӱ�ԭ��s vision. The evening also included a performance by Michael Desir �Ӱ�ԭ��22, a music and sound recording major, who has collaborated as a feature artist on fellow Chargers�Ӱ�ԭ�� music since 2019.

The event concluded with Dr. Williams�Ӱ�ԭ��s address, in which he discussed the challenges still facing society and the importance of advocacy, social justice, and freedom. While acknowledging that �Ӱ�ԭ��freedom is a constant struggle�Ӱ�ԭ�� that is achieved incrementally, he shared a message of hope and encouragement, leaving the University community with a charge and a challenge.

�Ӱ�ԭ��There are so many issues plaguing our nation as a whole, such as poverty, injustice, violence, and indifference,�Ӱ�ԭ�� he said. �Ӱ�ԭ��But the reality is, I can�Ӱ�ԭ��t think of any better educational institution situated at this present moment to address these issues than the University of New Haven.

�Ӱ�ԭ��You have the mission, you have the students, you have the faculty, you have the administration,�Ӱ�ԭ�� he continued. �Ӱ�ԭ��Oh, and by the way, you�Ӱ�ԭ��ve got this great synergy with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Let it not exist on a day where we simply celebrate those who are challenging us to live that mission. Let�Ӱ�ԭ��s ingrain it so fully in the fabric of who we are that when people come up to a Charger, they say, �Ӱ�ԭ��Charger or challenger? I can�Ӱ�ԭ��t tell the difference.�Ӱ�ԭ���Ӱ�ԭ��