{"id":121251,"date":"2026-01-16T23:31:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T23:31:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/121251\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T23:31:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T23:31:08","slug":"florida-am-university-honors-dr-king-during-2026-convocation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/121251\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida A&M University Honors Dr. King During 2026 Convocation"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2014 Florida A&M University gathered its extended Rattler family on Friday, Jan. 16,
\n for the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation, filling Lee Hall Auditorium with
\n students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members united in remembrance and
\n reflection.<\/p>\n

Held in one of the University\u2019s most historic spaces, the annual convocation served
\n as both a tribute to Dr. King\u2019s legacy and a call to action rooted in scholarship
\n and service. The program reflected the fullness of the FAMU experience, where academic
\n rigor and cultural consciousness merge.<\/p>\n

Student leadership anchored the convocation in the present and future. Kennedy Williams, Student Government Association vice president, delivered the occasion reflecting on the responsibility students bear as beneficiaries
\n of Dr. King\u2019s sacrifice and as stewards of his unfinished work.<\/p>\n

\"KennedySGA Vice President Kennedy Williams spoke about the students responsibility to ensure
\n that MLK’s dream is not only realized for all but continues. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe gather at Florida A&M University as the culmination of the dreams, sacrifices,
\n and prayers of those who came before us. Those who were denied access, silenced, and
\n excluded, yet never stopped believing in our possibility,\u201d said Williams. \u201cBecause
\n of them, we stand here today. And because of them, it is our duty to represent them
\n well. To lead with integrity. To pursue excellence with caring. And to ensure that
\n our education, our voices, and our actions continue to bend the moral arc toward justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

The moment was especially poignant as SGA President and University Trustee Zayla Bryant presided over convocation for the final time on Lee Hall stage before her May graduation.<\/p>\n

\"PresidentPresident Marva Johnson, J.D., presents Zayla Bryant, SGA president, with the Rev.
\n Dr. Martin Luther King Student Leadership Award (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n

Taking the podium, President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., framed Dr. King\u2019s legacy not as distant history, but as an active mandate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a blessing to be gathered here this morning in this sacred hall to honor a man
\n whose legacy continues to challenge us, to inspire us, and to call us to action every
\n day,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

President Johnson showcased visible enthusiasm for the packed audience before reminding
\n students, faculty, and staff alike that: “Fifty-eight years ago, Dr. King was taken
\n from us. But his dream did not die with him. His vision of a belove community, where
\n every person is treated with dignity and judged by the content of their character,
\n that vision lives on.,\u201d she said. “It lives on in HBCUs like Florida A&M University.
\n And it lives on in you, in every Rattler who chooses service over self and leads with
\n integrity.”<\/p>\n

\"PresidentPresident Marva Johnson, J.D., acknowledged the sanctity of hosting the MLK Convocation
\n in one of the oldest and revered buildings on campus, Lee Hall. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n

Advancing that charge, she urged the campus community to carry Dr. King\u2019s mantle forward,
\n \u201cnot as a memory, but as a mission.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking directly to students, she commanded them to lead with courage, compassion
\n and the confidence that comes from being Rattlers. She then shifted her focus to faculty
\n and staff, thanking them for pouring into the next generation of leaders. “And to
\n our entire FAMUly: Let us recommit ourselves to building Beloved Community right here,
\n on this campus, and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n

In closing, President Johnson returned to Dr. King\u2019s words, saying: \u201cThe time is always
\n right to do what is right.\u201d<\/p>\n

The keynote address was delivered by Elder Darrick McGhee Sr., founding pastor of Bible Based Church and a proud FAMU alumnus from the Class of 2000. Returning \u201chome\u201d to the Hill after
\n 25 years, McGhee spoke directly to what he called the dreamers: first-generation students,
\n visionaries, and those who dare to see beyond their current circumstances.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is an honor, a privilege, and a blessing to be back home again,\u201d McGhee said,
\n acknowledging President Marva B. Johnson, the Board of Trustees, and the campus community
\n before centering his message on what he called \u201cthe dreamers.\u201d Speaking directly to
\n first-generation students and those who dare to imagine beyond their present circumstances,
\n McGhee shared his own journey as the first in his family to attend college.<\/p>\n

\"ElderElder Darrick D. McGhee, Sr., gave a moving address that spoke directly to the “dreamers”
\n of FAMU. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, I want to have a conversation with dreamers,\u201d McGhee said. \u201cI want to talk
\n to those people others think are weird. They don\u2019t understand what you\u2019re talking
\n about. They think you space out. But you believe beyond what you\u2019re currently seeing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking directly to first-generation students, McGhee made clear that he stood in
\n familiar territory. \u201cLike you, I was and still am that dreamer,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m the
\n first in my family to go to college. I\u2019m the first one to leave home and believe there
\n was something greater beyond my mother\u2019s front steps.\u201d<\/p>\n

McGhee invoked Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.\u2019s words from the March on Washington in
\n 1963. \u201cDr. King said, \u2018When we allow freedom to ring\u2026 we will be able to speed up
\n that day when all of God\u2019s children when all of God’s children, Black men and white
\n men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics will be able to join hands and sing
\n in the words that old Negro spiritual free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty,
\n we are free at last.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Acknowledging doubt and disbelief many students face, McGhee pressed forward. \u201cFor
\n some of you, people may not believe you can actually do what you\u2019re trying to do,\u201d
\n he said. \u201cBut I\u2019ve come to tell you, look out \u2014 because in front of you is opportunity.
\n In front of you is access. In front of you are relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"President(Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n

Throughout his remarks, McGhee returned to a three-part charge: look out, look up, and listen up. He then turned the lens squarely on the power of the FAMU network. \u201cWhen you meet
\n a Rattler,\u201d McGhee said, \u201cthat Rattler is obligated to help you excel. Look out. Because
\n on some steps, on a porch or where you may go, there is someon who needs you to look
\n out,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

McGhee let the students know that their success is not solely about them, but about
\n those who are watching. He emphasized that their success paves a way for others to
\n move forward. \u00a0<\/p>\n

McGhee then shifted to April 3, 1968, recalling Dr. King\u2019s final speech at Mason Temple
\n in Memphis on the eve of his assassination at the Lorraine Motel. Quoting directly,
\n he reminded the audience that King acknowledged uncertainty without surrender.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018I don\u2019t know what will happen now. We\u2019ve got some difficult days ahead,\u2019\u201d McGhee
\n recited. \u201c\u2018But it doesn\u2019t matter what happens now, because I\u2019ve been to the mountaintop.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

McGhee noted that while King spoke of valuing longevity, he ultimately placed purpose
\n over self-preservation, declaring that he had \u201cseen the Promised Land\u201d and was unafraid
\n of what lay ahead because his eyes had seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.<\/p>\n

\"FAMUFAMU University Gospel Choir moved the audience our of their seats with powerful renditions
\n of “Total Praise” by Richard Smallwood and “We Shall Overcome.” (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s for every dreamer in here. If you look out, then look up,\u201d he said. Because
\n there\u2019s a great cloud of witnesses cheering you on \u2014 people who bore the scars, endured
\n the pain, so you could have a chance to sit in this room today.\u201d<\/p>\n

He told the audience do not take for granted that somebody is out there who would
\n love to have their seats, so keep pressing forward.<\/p>\n

In an illustrative moment of his address, McGhee shared the story of a young runner
\n competing in a race under dense fog, struggling to breathe and falling behind. \u201cShe
\n kept telling herself, \u2018Just stay close to third place because if I get that close,
\n maybe I can finish with the last kick around that last 100,\u2019\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

McGhee shared that even as the fog and difficulty remained, the runner continued,
\n guided by a voice urging her forward.<\/p>\n

When she finally crossed the finish line in first place, reporters asked how she did
\n it. \u201cShe said, \u2018I just ran to my daddy\u2019s voice,\u2019\u201d McGhee said. He then translated
\n the story\u2019s meaning directly to the students before him. \u201cAfter you look out, after
\n you look up \u2014 listen up. Because when things are dark and the fog is heavy and life
\n seems uncertain, there are people cheering you on and telling you, \u2018You got this,
\n baby. Keep going.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Dr.James Moran, Ph.D., director of pharmacy engagement at FAMU, bears a striking resemblance
\n to Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and gave a special performance of King’s famous “I
\n Have a Dream” speech. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n

With the audience fully engaged, McGhee underscored the stakes of perseverance and
\n belief. \u201cYou didn’t come here to fail. You didn’t come here to let us. Graduation
\n is possible. Life is possible. You’re not weird, you’re a dreamer. You’re not crazy.
\n You are a dreamer. You believe in the possibility that there is something out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he moved toward his closing, McGhee offered one final caution and encouragement.
\n \u201cOne thing about dreamers, don\u2019t wake up too soon,\u201d he said. \u201cYou might abort what
\n you\u2019re trying to birth. So, keep going forth and keep pressing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before leaving the podium, he marked the significance of the moment by calling attention
\n to the day itself, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, then said:<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd this boy from California just came to talk to dreamers and tell you, we ain\u2019t
\n crazy. We\u2019re just dreaming. God bless y\u2019all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ElderPresident Marva Johnson, J.D., presents Elder Derrick McGhee, Sr., with the President’s
\n Award. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU)<\/p>\n

Media Contact:<\/p>\n

Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Back to Stories<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2014 Florida A&M University gathered its extended Rattler family on Friday, Jan. 16, for the 2026…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":121252,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[232,234,233],"class_list":{"0":"post-121251","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tallahassee","8":"tag-tallahassee","9":"tag-tallahassee-headlines","10":"tag-tallahassee-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=121251"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121251\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/121252"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=121251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=121251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=121251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}