DENVER —In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Metropolitan State University held their annual Peace breakfast days before the holiday. The event gathered community members from around the state to both honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and those who have carried on his mission to advocate for civil rights. 

The Friday breakfast kicked off with a prayer led by Reverend Dr. Timothy Tyler, a moving performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and a land and labor acknowledgement. 

This year’s keynote speaker was civil rights trailblazer Carlotta Walls LaNier. LaNier shared her experience the youngest of the Little Rock Nine, a group of Black students who were the first to integrate into an all-white high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

Despite the fact these young people were solely seeking the same education others were granted, their arrival to school was met by violent mobs. On the second day, LaNier says the mob reached over 1,000 people.

Eventually, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent military to escort the students to school, but even this didn’t put an end to the violence and harassment LaNier and the other eight students faced. 

LaNier noted that while we have come a long way in regards to civil rights, there is much more to be done. She urged that we continue to carry on the legacy of those like Dr. King and to pay attention to the inequities that still exist. 

“Do what you can to add a larger perspective to the world we all live in. May the new year offer you the opportunity to do just that,” she encouraged. 

2023 Peace Award Honorees

Following the inspiring speech, MSU honored the MSU staff recipients of the 2023 Peace awards. 

Honorees included Allison M. Cotton, Ph.D., professor of criminal justice and criminology; Miguel Huerta, epic scholars coordinator and case manager; Gregor Meider, director of immigrant services; Mariana Pascual-Miranda, first generation initiatives student coordinator.

Also honored was Dwinita Mosby Tyler, Ph.D.