DBU Honors the Legacy of Dr. King through Service and Unity Walk

Every year in January, the DBU family celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with a day of service and commemoration. It is a day of unity, reflection, and gratefulness as students spend the morning of MLK Day volunteering alongside others in the community and unite together on the Hill for a day of prayer later in the afternoon. This year was no different.

To start the day, DBU students and staff joined Cornerstone Baptist Church to serve in their community kitchen, passing out food and water and fellowshipping with other attendees and volunteers. The heart of DBU is servant-leadership, and DBU’s heart was on full display.

“It is truly a blessing for DBU students to honor the legacy of MLK though our annual day of service in partnership with Cornerstone Baptist Church,” said Desi Henk, Assistant VP of the Center for Career and Professional Development. “It is encouraging to see our young leaders walking out their faith through servant leadership.” 

Students then returned to campus to commence the fifth annual MLK Unity Walk on the Hill. Starting from the Collins Learning Center, the group spent time praying for peace and unity for the country led by Dr. Jay Harley, Vice President for Student Affairs; Dr. Tempress Asagba, Dean of Students; Jake Bell, Vice President of the Black Student Union; and Hadassah Examond, Treasurer of the Black Student Union. 

Then, as a group, they continued their walk across the Quad to gather at the cross that stands between the Mahler Student Center and Patty and Bo Pilgrim Chapel with remarks by DBU President Dr. Adam C. Wright, a time of worship led by Dr. Bob Brooks, Dean of the Graduate School of Ministry, and a prayer for unity led by Lee Bratcher, Director of the Institute for Global Engagement. 

The event concluded with Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech recited by Rev. Bertrain Bailey, senior pastor of St. John Baptist Church in Dallas and a DBU trustee, with a closing prayer by Cendy Sanchez, Vice President of the Hispanic Student Union. 

“Now more than ever, the DBU campus desires to stand as a model of unity in a broken world,” said Dr. Adam C. Wright, DBU President. “This annual day of remembrance of a great leader of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a special time to unite us together in prayer as we work with hope toward a better world starting with each of us.”