Cleveland State University (CSU) and Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C^®) will host their 35th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday celebration breakfast, “Future Leaders Dreaming Forward,” on Monday, Jan. 19, at 8 a.m. in the CSU Student Center Ballroom. 

The event honors the life and legacy of Dr. King and highlights the voices of students and community members. Student leaders Rashiadah Weaver of CSU and Alundis Hayes of Tri-C will serve as the masters of ceremonies.  

Student presentations will be delivered by Kayla Moore Adams and Dulce Perez Sanchez of CSU, and Salma Marzouk and Mona Pruitt of Tri-C. The presenters were selected through a competitive essay contest reflecting on Dr. King’s quote, “The time is always right to do what is right,” and how it inspires positive social change in areas such as education, equity, health, housing, employment and civic engagement. 

Additional presentations will include an invocation and benediction from Reverend Gloria Chaney, former Interim Pastor of Affinity Missionary Baptist Church in Cleveland, and musical performances by Jayshawn Champion with Lutheran East High School.  

The program also features remarks from CSU President Dr. Laura Bloomberg and Tri-C President Dr. Michael Baston. Jarrett Pratt, senior director of programming and student engagement at CSU, will share the historical perspective of the celebration. 

“For 35 years, this celebration has brought students and the community together to honor Dr. King’s legacy,” said Pratt. “It provides a meaningful platform for student leaders to reflect on their work and demonstrate how they are advancing his vision of service, civil rights and social justice.” 

Media interested in attending can RSVP to pr@csuohio.edu.