(Courtesy/Jeremy Morgan)
Columbus Academy hosted its annual Martin Luther King Activity Day on Friday, January 10, an event which included an assembly and numerous Breakout Activities aimed at teaching and honoring Dr. King’s legacy in the world of civil rights and social justice.
Students headed to “The Mack” after one block of academic classes for a special assembly organized by Lizzie B. and Sophie L., the student leaders of United CA, as well as Dr. Pascal Losambe, Ms. Nyima Porter, and Mr. Pedro Mena. Students of all grades filed into the stands with the kindergartners and their Senior Buddies claiming one quadrant, lower school students gathering in another, middle school students in the third, and upper school students filling the final section. The setup demonstrated a sense of unity while keeping each division separated.
At first, it seemed like an average assembly featuring a presentation or lecture, but the subdued atmosphere shifted as the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity group entered the gym, dancing with an electrifying energy that immediately captured and captivated the audience.
The members introduced themselves as the oldest black collegiate fraternity, founded in 1906 at Cornell. They utilized Martin Luther King, Jr., an example of one of the fraternity’s most distinguished members, as an inspiration for their mission to uplift and lead within their communities. The group shared how Alpha Phi Alpha emerged as a beacon of hope in the 20th century at a time when opportunities for Black students were scarce and systemic racism was pervasive, advocating for academic excellence, leadership, and social justice.
The half-hour-long assembly concluded with the members of Alpha Phi Alpha teaching all the students some of their signature step routines, with each quadrant of the gym practicing their respective moves until, in a symbol of unity and collaboration, the entire gym came together to perform the routine in perfect synchrony. The thunderous stomps and rhythmic claps echoed through the space, filling it with an infectious energy and a sense of togetherness.
I spoke with junior, Grant L., who played a role in bringing Alpha Phi Alpha to the event, and he shared his connection to the fraternity. His father, a longtime member of Alpha Phi Alpha, had been instrumental in making the connection. “It all started with my dad,” he said. “He pledged Alpha and got to know people who were already involved. That’s how it all started for me. They have a junior program, which is for middle schoolers, and then they have high school level, called Alpha Esquires, and then the actual Alpha fraternity for college.”
Asked what he hoped students would take away from the presentation, Grant emphasized the importance of community, saying, “I hope they take away that Alpha Phi Alpha is about helping the community like MLK did in his lifetime. It’s about evolving with the community, and contributing to it in meaningful ways.”
Another big part of planning these activities, according to Dr. Pascal Losambe, was making sure to tailor them to each student’s experience, saying, “We recognized that on this journey of identity, especially with race or ethnicity or different dimensions of identity, people are at different places. We wanted to create an environment, an event where a child or a student can locate where they are and what it would mean for them to take their next step.”
Whether participating in a walking meditation during Miles for Martin or creating art during the United Art Experience, organizers meant for the activities to engage students in learning about Dr. King’s legacy in ways that felt authentic to them. “We believe that even if every student doesn’t get a lot out of it, the seed is planted enough that one day it might be watered and bloom,” Losambe said.
Reflecting on how the event has evolved over the years, Losambe pointed out that MLK Day at Columbus Academy has become increasingly student-led. “It has gone from being more adult-heavy to a student-initiated, student-driven event,” he noted. He credited the leaders of United CA, particularly Lizzie and Sophie, for their leadership, which allowed for a more dynamic, creative, and innovative approach to the day. This shift, according to Dr. Losambe, helped the students take ownership of the event, making it more relevant and impactful for their peers.
Dr. Losambe also acknowledged that the fight for social equality and justice is not something that can be changed overnight, leaving three key takeaways that he hopes students will carry with them throughout their high school, college, and future years.
1. We are all leaders: Dr. Losambe emphasized the idea that everyone has the potential to lead. He said, “leaders allow people to follow a vision of what they see, and allow them to see what you see.” He encouraged students to challenge themselves to step beyond self-interest, saying, “If you are somebody that is more self-invested and self-consumed, then I would say that challenge yourself to be a leader.” He urged students to paint a vision of the future that others could follow, saying, “Lead people somewhere, paint a picture of what you can see.” The message here is that leadership is about creating a shared vision and inspiring others to join in the journey.
2. Living Beyond Ourselves Through Service: Service is another central theme in Losambe’s message. He referred to Abraham Maslow’s idea that “the highest calling of humanity is living beyond yourself” and emphasized the importance of contributing to something larger than oneself, asking, “What can you do to give back? What can you do to contribute to something bigger than you?” Losambe encouraged students to think about how they can serve others, as he believes this is an essential part of leading a meaningful life.
3. The Strength of Community and Connection: Losambe stressed that we are all responsible for one another and that strength lies in unity. He said, “We are in this together. We are responsible for each other in this place.” He highlighted the importance of fostering connection, urging students to remember that “if we can always keep that in mind, I think Columbus Academy can honor Dr. King, and we can be the best we can be with those lessons as well.” The message is clear: the power of community is essential for personal growth and collective success.
Breakout Activities after the presentation by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity:
Lyrics & Liberation: This session discussed the connection between music lyrics and Dr. King’s speeches on liberation, reflecting on how music has played a role in shaping the civil rights movement.
Read-In at the Library: Students engaged in reading books and essays that highlighted Black authors and explored the African American experience. This year’s focus was on the Coretta Scott King Book Award and Black authors in fiction and fantasy writing.
Miles for Martin: Participants walked3 miles in remembrance of the historic 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. During the walk, students listened to Dr. King’s “I’ve Been To the Mountaintop” in honor of the day.
Amend – The Fight for America: Students watched and discussed episode 3 of the Netflix series Amend: The Fight for America, focusing on the evolving fight for equal rights in America through the lens of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
King Speaks: Students listened to Dr. King’s famous “Three Evils of Society” speech, reflecting on both his message and delivery. After a guided discussion, they wrote their own speeches inspired by elements of Dr. King’s work.
United Art Experience: Students participated in an art session, drawing and coloring in an art piece using chalk, reflecting on the themes of unity and empowerment.
King Like Leaders: Students discussed and learned about the work of iconic and impactful leaders from other cultures viewed as influential to Dr. King in America.
HBCUs & The Divine Nine: The session focused on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including Dr. King’s alma mater, Morehouse. It also covered the group of nine historically African American fraternities and sororities, known as The Divine Nine, with a special focus on Dr. King’s fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha.
