“Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Where do we go from here?", 1967
Each year, Northwest Missouri State University celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the third week of January. The 2025 theme, "Beyond the Dream: Transforming Communities," emphasizes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of advocating for social justice, socioeconomic and educational access, and the need for inclusive opportunities for all underserved communities. As we continue to witness society’s current struggles, we are looking to explore how we, as individuals, can collectively be vehicles of change at Northwest and within our communities.
January 17, 2025
12 Noon - 2 PM CST | J.W. Jones Student Union
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and legacy, Northwest will host the annual MLK Peace Brunch on Friday, January 17, 2025. Enjoy brunch and fellowship with colleagues, students, and the Northwest Community. The program will include music, a special keynote address by Northwest Alum Dr. Tyrone Michael Bates, Jr., the Commitment to Diversity Awards presentation, and more.
The Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Awards
The Northwest’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Award was established to honor faculty, administrators, or community members for their outstanding service in keeping with Dr. King's principles and ideals, for their efforts to foster an inclusive environment on the campus, and for their engagement in activities that help eliminate barriers concerning people of various identities on campus and within the community. This year, we will seek to honor faculty, staff, and community members for their contributions throughout our community.
About our Speaker
Dr. Tyrone Michael Bates, Jr. is a dynamic leader from Kansas City, Kansas, with deep roots in Chicago, Illinois. He is the President and CEO of True Empowering, LLC, a consulting agency dedicated to helping organizations maximize recruiting efforts, minimize turnover, and enhance retirement rates among their staff. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Bates specializes in transforming organizational cultures and bridging communication across cultural divides.
A proud graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, where he excelled in athletics and academics, Dr. Bates holds a B.S. in Biology, an Educational Specialist Degree, an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, and an Ed.D. from the University of Missouri. His career spans roles as a teacher, academic coach, and school administrator, reflecting his deep commitment to education, equity, and leadership.
Currently, Dr. Bates consults for The B.L.O.C., coaches for The Jegna Klub, and serves on non-profit boards such as Gordon Parks Elementary and Scholar Smarts. A 24-year Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. member, he actively mentors young leaders and contributes to initiatives promoting community uplift.
During the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. traveled extensively across the United States, delivering sermons, leading non-violent protests, and organizing with fellow civil rights community leaders and college students. However, for many Black Americans, travel during this era was met with challenges due to the oppressive Jim Crow laws that imposed severe restrictions and the unspoken rules of "sundown towns"—where African Americans faced threats if found in certain areas after dark.
This presentation delves into the often-overlooked history of sundown towns, examining their impact on African American communities. It highlights historical narratives from these towns and their residents and explores how these legacies influence the identity and dynamics of these communities today.
King in the Wilderness is a documentary film about Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on the final two years of his life before his assassination on April 4, 1968. The film includes some never-before-seen footage of interviews with some of those closest to King interspersed with historical archives during a period of his life. Despite King’s own self-doubts as he was coming to terms with his possible death, he refused to back away from the civil rights and anti-war challenges of his time.
Beginning January 17, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will collect school supplies for the students at East High School in Kansas City, MO. School Supply packets will be assembled in the ODI Space on Friday, Jan. 25. What is needed: Composition Books, Hi-lighters, pens/pencils, calculators, Winter gloves, scarves, hats, and Copy paper (colored).
Drop-off Locations:
