WINTER PARK, Fla. — It’s been more than 60 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Orlando to spread his message of justice and equality. On Monday, that message was front and center at Rollins College as students worked together to advance the movement in 2026. 

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Inside the Knowles Memorial Chapel at Rollins College, there were songs, dances and spoken word to honor Martin Luther King Jr. 

There was time to celebrate the progress since Dr. King’s visit in 1964, but the work towards equality for all continues in 2026

The pews inside the chapel were full of students, community members and even a few elected officials

Inside the Knowles Memorial Chapel at Rollins College, there were songs, dances and spoken word.

“It is definitely emotional, but it is revitalizing,” said Emily Nagassar, a junior at Rollins College.

In front of the crowd, she outlined out loud her experiences and life story.

“We should be going forward not moving back,” Nagassar said.

Nagassar performed with her group, Young, Gifted and Black.

“Our reality isn’t a performance, it is real life, it is those experiences that we see on a day-to-day basis,” Nagassar said.

Nagassar holds many titles: a sister, a daughter, an aunt, but most importantly she is a messenger.

“We are not in unity in this community, that is the honest truth, we are not in unity, we are not in tandem and that is the main goal,” Nagassar said.

King’s legacy lives on through Nagassar and others.

“My 11-year-old is actually performing here today,” said Dr. Danielle McKinnon, the director of workplace culture and engagement at Rollins College.

She was a proud mom, seeing her daughter dance to words spoken by King once to crowds in Orlando.

“He visited Shiloh Baptist Church; he also was at Tinker Field which what I remember of the story that was one of the first times there was really an integrated opportunity for people to come and hear just his amazing words be in community and presence with him,” McKinnon said.

There is time to celebrate the progress since that visit in 1964, but the work towards equality for all continues in 2026.

“While things might be bleak, there is hope and you saw that through our students today, if not for us, for them and the future,” said Dr. Marjorie Trueblood, the Dean of Student Center for Community and Connections at Rollins College.

It’s a fight for a fair future, with fearless leaders like Nagassar.

“Just listen, but not just listen, be an active listener, be an active avid member, have action, have perseverance, have hope,” Nagassar said.

The pews inside the chapel were full of students, community members and even a few elected officials, all here for one thing to continue the work of King.