MHU Holds First MLK Breakfast Celebration

January 16, 2023

More than 60 people turned out for Mars Hill University’s first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast Celebration. Attendees included MHU students, faculty, and staff, as well as Madison County residents and other members of the local community.

Jonathan McCoy, MHU’s director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and organizer of the breakfast, told the audience, “On this day that we remember Dr. King, his words should inspire us to be a county where in every component of its community we recognize that diversity, equity, and inclusion create an everyday practice of Dr. King’s ministry of equality and justice. And that’s through service which goes beyond just thinking about it on this holiday, but making it an everyday reality.”

McCoy said the idea for the breakfast grew from discussions with the Madison County Racial Justice Coalition and others about creating an event to bring together people from throughout the county to focus on putting Dr. King’s message into action.

“We’re gathered here in the spirit of service and fellowship, which inspires justice,” McCoy said. “And it must be rooted in diversity and equity and inclusion because those are the building blocks to a vibrant, unified community. When we see one another and uplift one another we become stronger together. This was the ministry of Dr. King—the ministry of his life.“

“This day is not a holiday,” said MHU President Tony Floyd. “It’s a day to invigorate. It’s a day to think about how you can help to make things better. It’s a day to celebrate, but also to recognize there’s so much more to be done.”