The University of Georgia hosted the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Breakfast Friday morning. Hundreds of university and community members attended to hear Pastor Thomas Settles deliver the keynote address.
“These events, like MLK celebration, or something like Black History Month, are super important because the farther we get away from those historical events, the easier it is to lose sight of what actually happened,” Settles said. “I wanted to be here this morning to encourage people to have a sober assessment of actually what happened during the civil rights movement and actually what Dr. King went through.”
Student Janyia Hightower was a first-time attendee. She introduced the speaker.
“This event is so important because it reiterates the fact that UGA will definitely make a space for the minority students here, the Black students,” according to Hightower. “They will definitely make a space for us to be uplifted and celebrated, despite what many people may think. Even though we are a small number, we are mighty.”
The 2025 president’s fulfilling the dream awards were handed out during the event. Rayna Carter was a recipient.
“I feel intensely honored, I know the people who have received the award before me so to just be in a place, in a circumstance along with some of those great names is really, really a huge honor to me,” said Carter.
The Freedom Breakfast honors the legacy of the late civil rights leader and recognizes local community members dedicated to contributing to race relations, justice and human rights.
