Auburn community gathers to honor life, legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Guest speaker for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Scholarship Breakfast, Byron P. Franklin Sr., speaks to the crowd. Franklin is senior pastor of Living World Church, Auburn University Trustee Emeritus and former football player at Auburn and the National Football League.

“The time is always right to do the right thing.”

That was the theme for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast led by the National Forum for Black Public Administrators — East Alabama Chapter, in collaboration with Auburn University’s Office of University Outreach and the Office of Inclusion and Diversity (OID). Approximately 250 people gathered for the event on Jan. 15 at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center.

This year’s program featured a keynote address from Byron Franklin Sr., senior pastor of Living World Church, Auburn University Trustee Emeritus and former football player at Auburn and the National Football League. Franklin emphasized that King’s dream can only become a reality with everyone working together, doing their part by quoting King.

“Dr. King said, ‘Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all God’s children,’” Franklin said.

In addition to Franklin’s speech, a panel discussion focused on dialogue around the 60th anniversary of Auburn’s integration and integration in surrounding communities. On Jan. 6, 1964, Harold A. Franklin became the first African American student at Auburn when he walked into the Ralph Brown Draughon Library on campus and registered for classes.

“The personal testimonies the panelists shared were inspiring,” said Taffye Benson Clayton, vice president and associate provost for inclusion and diversity. “These individuals are courageous in their own ways, blazing their own trails and continuing to do their part today to create a path forward for others.”

Several university and community leaders attended the breakfast. City of Auburn Mayor Ron Anders challenged the audience to get engaged as the city works to develop a strategic plan.

“Auburn 2040 is a community-led strategic plan for Auburn’s future,” Anders said in his welcome remarks. “Those of you who live in Auburn, care about our community, think about its future and want it to be better than it is today, this is your opportunity to help guide that process.”

Vintavious Billingsley (Opelika High School), Kennedy Brewer (Opelika High School) and Nia Jordan (Auburn High School) stand with Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts, left, and Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, right. The students received scholarships at the Auburn University's annual MLK Scholarship Breakfast on Jan. 15.

Proceeds from the event provide scholarships for local high school seniors. This year’s scholarship recipients were Vintavious Billingsley (Opelika High School), Kennedy Brewer (Opelika High School) and Nia Jordan (Auburn High School). The students were grateful to receive funds to support their future academic endeavors.

“It feels amazing to receive this scholarship,” said Brewer, who plans to attend Auburn in the fall and major in finance. “It’s truly a blessing. It will allow me to go to school and have the opportunity to further my education without worrying about the cost. Auburn is my dream school.”

Wilbert Payne Jr., a retired U.S. Army Reserve member, second from left, received the Community Service award at Auburn University's annual MLK Scholarship Breakfast on Jan. 15. He stands with his wife, Virginia; daughter, Audrey Marshall; son, Doricho Payne; Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts, far left; and Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, far right.

The Rev. Stephen Faulk, a retired educator, received the Educator of the Year award at Auburn University's annual MLK Scholarship Breakfast on Jan. 15. He is pictured with Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts, left, and Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, right.

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In addition to student recognitions, community leaders were recognized for their service as well. Wilbert Payne Jr., a retired U.S. Army Reserve member, received the community service award, and the Rev. Stephen Faulk, a retired educator, received the educator of the year award.

The scholarship breakfast was the kickoff to Auburn’s 2024 MLK Week, a series of events designed to celebrate and learn about the life of King and his fight for civil rights. These events included a Canned Food and Hygiene Product Drive and the Black Student Union’s (BSU) yearly tradition of a day of service. This year, students participated in service projects like painting, cleaning and landscaping throughout the Auburn-Opelika area.

For more information on Auburn’s commitment to inclusive excellence and other notes of recognition, please visit OID through its website, on Instagram, or the DEI landing page.