Stephanie L./Staff
Our school paused its routine on Friday, January 17, for our annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Students began in the theater for a UCA-led assembly (United Columbus Academy) and witnessed a beautiful performance by Lisa Griffin, who sang James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black National Anthem. Students then divided into smaller groups to examine King’s impact from various perspectives. Dr. Losambe, Director of Diversity and Community Life, highlighted the importance of inviting external partners in this year’s observance, including entrepreneur and business panelists Tres Carter, Val Louis, Jennifer Sanger, Dorrian Moultrie, and Ella Williams. Jessica Henderson focused on depicting social activism through art. Losambe said the commemoration “is a great way to honor Dr. King and symbolically gesture unity,” while allowing students to engage with real-world perspectives connected to leadership and social impact. (Prishya K. and Claire Z.)
Lyrics and Liberation Brings Dr. King’s Message to Life Through Music
Lyrics and Liberation, a student-led event that explored the connection between lyrics and Dr. King’s message, invited students to consider how lyrics can reflect the same calls for justice and equality found in King’s speeches. Led by Tegan M., Nousha A., Sofia A-T., and Ela K., with advisor Dr. Jacky, selected songs addressed themes of civil rights and resistance. Tegan said, “We wanted to be able to connect MLK’s ideas to the real world using music, and we also wanted to shed light on people who fought for similar things MLK did,” she said. (Stephanie L.)
Black Business Owners Encourage Students to Live Audaciously
During my freshman year, the high school celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by hosting the oldest black collegiate fraternity at Cornell, Alpha Phi Alpha. This year, students attended an educational or creative activity of their choice. I chose Black-Owned Business and King’s Influence.
Five Black entrepreneurs, whose stories began in the heart of Columbus and have expanded to impactful enterprises, spoke to us, beginning with founder and CEO of Posh Teatime Co., Ella Williams, an expert in corporate IT and retail, discussed how she has balanced her 20-year job and role as a mother to an Academy student.
Up next was DJ Vicious, a tour DJ of 15 years who has traveled all across the world contributing his craft to many notable performers, including Mario, Usher, and Mary J. Blige.
Next, I was introduced to entrepreneur and mother, Jennifer Sanger, whose children’s fashion business, Jamison & Bexley, features a delicately curated collection of fashionable, functional, sustainable, and gender neutral clothing options for kids.
Academy alum Dorrian Moultrie’19, the Founder and Chief Operations Officer of Moultrie Brothers Mowing, started his lawn care business at 15, his entrepreneurship incentivized by his dream of traveling to Cuba. Moultrie’s business has since become a family-led company that has brought professionalism and quality to clients for over 10 years in the Columbus community.
Entrepreneur Tres Carter, a tech and brand consultant, conference and classroom speaker, and dynamic event host, highlighted the missions of his business: to initiate impact, spark curiosity, and assist organizations in implementing AI and up-and-coming technology in their operations.
Although the session had limited time, the panelists made the remainder of the activity meaningful by discussing how their faith aided them through times of uncertainty and how Dr. King’s accomplishments enabled their current success. Each speaker agreed that had it not been for King’s fight for racial equality during the Civil Rights Movement, the mere option to launch a successful business as a Black entrepreneur would not have been possible. Some parent panelists noted that Coretta Scott King also served as a major role model because of her ability to balance her activism work and being a mother to four children, a lifestyle they hoped to adopt.
Perhaps the most essential takeaway from the panel was to be audacious. The entrepreneurs spoke to the audacity they poured into their livelihoods, mirroring King’s fearlessness. (Avery M.)
