On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, today, I was honored to attend the 43rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration here in the City of College Park. The event was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on Dr. King’s enduring legacy and to celebrate the institutions and individuals who continue to carry forward his vision of justice, equality, and opportunity.
A highlight of the celebration was recognizing the extraordinary work of the United Negro College Fund. For more than 80 years, UNCF has helped open doors to higher education for students across the country, transforming lives and strengthening communities. Their long-standing commitment to expanding access to colleges and universities is exactly the kind of work Dr. King believed was essential to creating a more just and equitable society. It was truly inspiring to celebrate their impact and dedication.
Here in College Park, we are honoring Dr. King’s legacy throughout the month of January with a variety of activities designed to educate, inspire, and bring our community together. These include student performances and arts-based programs, a month-long educational poster exhibit at City Hall highlighting Dr. King’s life and work, and a community-wide canned food drive supporting the College Park Community Food Bank. These efforts invite residents of all ages to learn, serve, and reflect on how Dr. King’s values continue to guide us today.
As a City, we also continue to reflect on our own history and our responsibility to confront past injustices. This includes acknowledging the harm done to the historic Lakeland community through so-called urban renewal and supporting the ongoing work of restorative justice focused on truth, accountability, and healing. Honoring Dr. King is not just about remembering his words—it is about committing ourselves to action.
Dr. King reminded us that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Events like this remind us that while progress may not always be easy or fast, it is possible when we work together with purpose, compassion, and integrity. In College Park, we remain committed to bending that arc—through education, service, and meaningful action—today and every day.