Dr. J. Keith Motley Serves as Keynote Speaker at Massasoit Community College’s 13th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

February 6, 2015 – On Wednesday, February 4, Massasoit Community College welcomed Dr. J. Keith Motley, chancellor of UMass Boston, to campus as keynote speaker for the 13th annual celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Jamall Plummer, a student in the liberal arts-science transfer program, served as Master of Ceremonies for the event, which was sponsored by the College’s Office of Institutional Diversity.

The program opened with a musical performance of “I Have a Dream” by the 5th grade chorus at Brockton’s Angelo Elementary School. Yolanda Dennis, executive director of Institutional Diversity at Massasoit, gave welcoming remarks and introduced Dr. Charles Wall, president of Massasoit Community College.

Dr. Motley spoke passionately about the life of Dr. King. “As institutes of higher education, we’re all working to create a comfortable, familiar setting for students, staff, and faculty. We’re moving in the right direction, but we’re not done yet. And that’s the legacy of Dr. King: to keep moving forward,” said Dr. Motley.

“It was a pleasure having Chancellor Motely as our keynote speaker at Massasoit Community College and his speech was inspiring to our College community,” said Ms. Dennis. “We must continue Dr. King’s work and continue to strive for equality for all.”

Mildred Walker, a student at Massasoit studying elementary education, closed the program with a moving rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The 13th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration served as the kick-off to the College’s celebration of Black History Month.

The Office of Institutional Diversity works collaboratively throughout Massasoit with faculty, staff, and students to promote a campus climate that values diversity and inclusion that is free of bias, prejudice, and harassment.