The Indiana University Indianapolis and Black Student Union (BSU) proudly presents its 56th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner, commemorating a ’s most transformative leaders. This milestone year also marks the 56th anniversary of Dr. King ’s assassination, reminding us of the enduring impact of his unwavering fight for civil rights, equity, and
The first Dr. King Celebration Dinner took place in 1969 within the Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Student Union Building, laying the foundation for what has become a cornerstone event uniting the campus and the greater Indianapolis community. Over the decades, this gathering has evolved into a powerful tradition a space for empowerment, reflection, and collective action inspired by Dr. King ’s vision
s work transcended his time, sparking movements that challenge perspectives and systems of oppression even today. Yet, his journey was also deeply personal. Just three years before his assassination, King experienced a profound transformation a s Mecca conversion, reshaped his approach to s enduring legacy but also as a call to action. It is an opportunity to channel his vision into our present -day struggles, fostering unity and driving the progress he so fervently championed. Together, we honor building a community rooted in love,
56th Annual
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Gala
Gala Program
Black National Anthem
Lift Every Voice and Sing
Sung in Unison Led by the Imani Praise Team of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis
Recitation of For My People by Margaret Walker
Invocation
Dr. Winterbourne Harrison-Jones
Senior Pastor, Witherspoon Presbyterian Church
Welcome
Melea VanOstrand
Multicultural Reporter, WishTV
Opening Remarks
Pamela Whitten
President, Indiana University
Dr. Karen L. Dace
Vice Chancellor of Diversity
Equity and Inclusion at Indiana University Indianapolis
Media Presentation
Indiana University Indianapolis Black Student Address
MLK Awards Presentation
Student Award
Visionary Architect of Justice Award
Dre’Von Smith
Community Award
Graceful Heart of Service Award
Brother Jamaal Shabazz
Faculty Award
Persistent Pathfinder of Justice Award
Ellise Smith
Gala Program
Dr. Joseph Tucker Edmonds
Associate Professor of Africana Studies and Religious Studies, Associate Director, The Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture, Arieanna Lytle MLK Chair
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Frank Leon Roberts
Fireside chat
Dr. Frank Leon Roberts and Gregory Madison
Closing Remarks
Dr. Idalia Wilmoth, 2025 Event Chairperson Black Student Service Specialist in the Multicultural Center under the Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Charge to the Community
Dr. Patrica Payne
Director of the Office of Racial Equity and Inclusion for Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS)
Dessert Reception
Please remain after the program for Dessert, Coffee, Networking and Live Entrainment by Vivian Nicole and Local Hype
voice and sing Community Anthem of Liberation
Lift
every
Lift every voice and sing
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears,
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who hast by Thy might Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand.
True to our God, True to our native land.
Please stand
About the song
“Lift Every Voice and Sing” is one of this country’s most beloved songs of hope and freedom. In 1919 it was designated “the Black national anthem” by the NAACP. The song was written in 1899 in a collaboration between two brothers: James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) wrote the inspiring text, which was set to an equally stirring melody by J. Rosamond Johnson (1873 -1954). The elder Johnson ’s novels and poems were central to the Harlem Renaissance, and he was also a prominent academic (the first Black professor at New York University) and diplomat (President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him as U.S. consul to Venezuela and Nicaragua). Closely associated for years with the NAACP, James Weldon Johnson led the organization throughout the 1920s.
The song was first performed by schoolchildren in Jacksonville, Florida, celebrating the birth of Abraham Lincoln. Included in nearly 40 hymnals, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is an essential piece for innumerable choirs and distinguished soloists across America.
At the turn of the 20th century, Johnson's lyrics eloquently captured the solemn yet hopeful appeal for the liberty of Black Americans. Set against the religious invocation of God and the promise of freedom, the song was later adopted by NAACP and prominently used as a rallying cry during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
In mid-2020, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" began to receive renewed attention amid nationwide protests over the police murder of George Floyd, which became a cause célèbre for what protesters considered brutal policing of the Black community: it was sung during demonstrations and other events which were held in solidarity.
Mistress of Ceremony
Melea VanOstrand
Melea VanOstrand, an Indianapolis native, is excited to return to the Circle City as WISH-TV’s multicultural reporter. Her passion for journalism started early, with trips to the WISH-TV studios and participation in school broadcast programs. Most recently, she was the managing editor and real estate reporter at The Daily Business Review in Miami, where her editorial leadership earned her the honor of being recognized as a 2023 Legacy Miami 40 Under 40 honoree. Before moving to South Florida, Melea anchored and reported at KOTA -TV in Sheridan, Wyoming, Rapid City, South Dakota, and FOX 55 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She also served as a digital court reporter in Chicago, Illinois. Melea VanOstrand, a former Indiana Black Expo intern, is a proud North Central High School graduate. She earned a B.A. in broadcast journalism from Central State University and an M.S. in criminal justice from Boston University. She is also a licensed Realtor® and a National Association of Black Journalists member. When not reporting, Melea enjoys spending time with her kids, family and friends, traveling, finding new places to eat, watching the latest Netflix show, and trying new hobbies.
Tonight’s Menu Salad
Local Greens, White Cheddar, Matchstick Granny Smith Apples, Sea Salt Sunflower Seeds, Pickled Onions, Radishes with a Creamy Chive Apple Dressing Petite Baguettes and Butter
Sauteed Spaghetti Squash, Sunflower Seed Garbanzo Crunch, Lemon and Herb Olive Oil Specific Dietary restrictions
Beverage
Water & Ice Tea
Dessert Reception
Parfaits-Key Lime Parfaits-Berry
Mini Salted Caramel Brownies
Fresh brewed Coffees and Teas
ALL
MEALS ARE GLUTEN FREE
Keynote Speaker
Frank Leon Roberts
Social Activist and Professor of the Nation’s First #BlackLivesMatter
Frank Leon Roberts is an educator and political organizer on the frontlines of the contemporary movement for black lives. He is the Founder of Black Lives Matter Syllabus, the nationally acclaimed, public educational curriculum that provides resources for teaching BLM in classroom and community settings. Frank ’s pioneering work as the “Black Lives Matter Professor” has been featured in Fader Magazine, NPR, CNN, and an extensive variety of other national media outlets.
He is currently a professor o English and Black Studies at Amherst College. Committed to the idea of teaching as a radical form of community organizing, his courses continue to make headlines as national interventions. He has previously held teaching appointments at The New School for Public Engagement, The City University of New York (at both Hunter College and the John Jay College of Criminal Justice) and the W.E.B. DuBois Scholars Institute at Princeton University. Educated at New York University and Yale University, Frank has been the winner of NYU ’s 2015 Michael Parkes Distinguished Alumni Award; the 2015 MLK Trailblazer Award (given in honor of the legacy of Martin Luther King), and a recipient of the Ford Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship from the National Research Academies.
Outside of academia, Frank’s career as a grassroots political organizer has spanned nearly two decades. He began his career as a teenager; mobilizing disenfranchised voters in the wake of the 2000 Bush/Gore Election. Later, in 2004 Frank co - founded the National Black Justice Coalition with Barack Obama ’s Harvard Law School classmate Keith Boykin.
His expansive history as an organizer and thought - leader has landed Frank in The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, Ebony, CBS, CNN, NPR, The Huffington Post and a wide range of publications. A dynamic public speaker, he has been the invited guest at literally hundreds of institutions and colleges around the globe.
Featured Artist Omar Rashan
Omar Rashan stands at the forefront of the emerging field of Neuro Art, where he seamlessly blends cutting -edge technology with compelling artistic vision. As a co-founder of Elevated Culture Omar pioneers the integration of creative technologies within reparative ecosystems, crafting experiences that not only captivate but also heal and transform. His work as a Neuro Artist transcends traditional boundaries, applying scientific insights to provoke, inspire, and drive innovation in the visual arts. Omar's visionary approach not only appeals to the aesthetic sensibilities of his audience but also strategically aligns with the interests of investors looking to support ventures at the dynamic intersection of art, science, and technology. His commitment to leveraging art for societal impact positions him as a key figure in shaping the future of both the creative and tech industries.
Featured Artist
Charlotte
L. Brown - Parrott
Charlotte L. Brown-Parrott is an award-winning author, activist, artist, and curator, renowned for her digital and mixed media art. She has received several prestigious awards, including 2024 REUP Community Impact Leadership Award and 1st place in her division at the 2023 Indiana State Fair Art Competition. Charlotte ’s work has been showcased at the Historical Newfields Museum of Art in Indianapolis, one of the ten largest and oldest general art museums in the nation, where she also serves as a teaching artist. Using computers and various materials, she designs unique and captivating pieces for both personal and professional purposes, striving to convey positive, thought-provoking, and healing messages to her community.
Charlotte’s artistic journey began with crafting ceramic pieces, which led her to discover graphic design. As she honed her skills, she realized her talent for writing, which provided her an additional platform as a graphic designer. Although she initially lacked confidence in using traditional brushes on canvas, she found her voice through digital tools. This transition allowed her to create logos, flyers, book covers, and more for fellow authors, professionals, and organizations.
Acknowledgments
Planning Committee
Jones
Dr. Joseph Tucker Edmonds
The Staff and Event Management Team of the Indiana Roof Ballroom
Partner Organizations
We Are Indy Arts Collective
Auxiliary Partners and Vendors
Dominic Dorsey
Printing Partners
Witherspoon Presbyterian Church
Entertainment
Sandy Lomax and Cold Fusion
Event Headliner
Vivian Nicole and LocalHype
Student Leaders
IU Indianapolis Black Student Union 2024-2025
President
Former
Secretary
Treasurer
Former
Events Chair
Communication
Social Action Chair
USG Senator
Fundraising Chair
MLK Chair
MLK Co-Chair
Lytle
MLK student award committee
Daniel Armstrong
Daijah Chandler
Diamond Jackson
Ally Shelton-Jones
Kiera King
Noble Miles
Amir-Ra Palmer
Tanasja Poston
Atiya Smith
Emmanuella Sow
Featured Entertainment
Vivian Nicole and Local Hype
Vivian Nicole is a passionate and creative visionary who views music as a powerful connection that unites people and fosters vibrant communities. This belief is at the heart of Local Hype! Entertainment, an emerging business she founded to fuel events and amplify excitement through vibrant and memorable experiences. With an emphasis on "hype," the brand celebrates talent, crafts unforgettable moments, and brings people of all generations together in innovative and inclusive ways. Popular taglines such as "Fueling Events, Fostering Community" and "Celebrate, Create Unforgettable" reflect Vivian's mission and her business's dedication to inspiring and energizing communities while celebrating local creativity and talent.
sandy Lomax and Cold Fusion Featured Entertainment
As a native of Indiana and a distinguished European recording artist, Sandy Lomax has had a successful career spanning over four decades as a singer specializing in Jazz and Rhythm and Blues. She often performs at Indy’s top music venues. Sandy’s uniquely expressive Ella Fitzgerald- inspired vocal stylings have earned her the respected title of “Indy’s Queen of Scat ”. Sandy values her performances and regards her audience as family.
Sandy is joined tonight by an amazing team of gifted musicians.
Keyboardist Phil Coleman and leader of Cold Fusion has an extensive background as a songwriter and producer, producing several Billboard 100 national artist while writing commercials for the Detroit Lions, Tigers, Blue Cross and other accounts. Coleman has been involved with artist such as the Temptations, Spinners, Aretha Franklin and other Motown and Atlantic Records artist.
“Sax Man” Dmitri Smith is an accomplished songwriter and recording artist, spending over 30 years touring with hit maker Betty Wright.
Percussionist Michael Scott is a well known in demand drummer in Indy's gospel arena. His gifts have led him to collaborate with many of the nations most gifted vocalists.
