(Rev. Phil Turner addresses audience at JMA Dome at the 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Sunday evening)
By Keith Kobland
(Syracuse, NY) Thousands of Syracuse residents and members of the Syracuse University campus community were in attendance Sunday night at the JMA Wireless Dome for the 38th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The evening featured student and community performances, presentation of the Unsung Hero Awards, and the keynote address from Bethany Baptist Church Pastor Phil Turner.
Malique Lewis, a Syracuse University student from the class of 2024 and event co-chair explained the theme this year was Civil Rights and the City of Syracuse.
“In choosing this theme, the planning team sought to highlight the timeless values that Martin Luther King, Jr. taught through his example — the values of courage,
truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service,” said Lewis. “We sought to discern how these directly values apply here and now, in the city of Syracuse.”
The selection of Rev. Turner was part of the effort to focus on Syracuse and Central New York. Turner leads the congregation at Bethany Baptist, a church located just a few miles from the Syracuse University campus. Turner addressed the crowd and spoke of King’s legacy, which locally included visits to the Syracuse University campus.
“When Dr. King spoke, his words were so piercing because they came from truth, his inner light and compassion,” said Rev. Turner. “We must accept the challenge to make everyone’s lives better. Leaders need to have a healthy appetite for change. They can’t be afraid.” Rev. Turner spoke at length about Dr. King and his own childhood in the south. True to the theme of the evening, Turner also drew comparisons between Syracuse in the 1960s and the deep south, and how recognizing the hurt can help in healing.
(Hear more of Rev. Turner’s address here: https://vimeo.com/791734446)
The highlight of the celebration is the presentation of the Unsung Hero Awards. Not only were the new cohort of award winners recognized, so to were winners from the 2020 and 2021 Celebrations, both of which were held virtually. Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud joined awardees on stage, each of whom was recognized by Marissa Willingham from the Dr. King organizing committee. This year’s winners include:
Nichole Henry (Syracuse University Staff)
Candice Ogbu (Syracuse University Student)
Thomas J. Wilson (Syracuse University Student)
Trinity Brumfield and Camille Ogden (Community Youth)
Oceanna Fair (Community Member)
The evening concluded with a beautiful rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing from the Community Choir, which has become a staple of the yearly celebration.
