At 9:30 a.m. on January 18, roughly 750 people congregated at the Memorial Student Center to take part in a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Guests passed through a “dream walk” as they entered the Bethancourt Ballroom, many stopping to read the historical posters and reflect on the moments that brought them there that day. As they took their seats amongst colleagues and strangers, a dialogue began. The Voices of Gospel Praise led the Black National Anthem, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” as audience members lifted their own voices and tapped their feet to the rhythm.
Each year, the MSC Carter G. Woodson Black Awareness Committee (WBAC) hosts its annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at Texas A&M in accordance with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Various iterations of this program occur on campuses across the country.
Leaders of this year’s Texas A&M event included Sade Hill ’18, WBAC committee chair, as well as Simone Parker ’19 and Sami dePass ’20, co-directors of the breakfast. “Every year,” said Parker, a sociology major, “we bring in a speaker who either gives a keynote speech or engages in a dialogue about their lives. The event starts with a breakfast buffet and the singing of the Black National Anthem and follows with spoken word or poetry as well as the speaker’s address.”
Kevin Powell (left) and Dr. Albert Broussard (right) engage in conversation at this year's Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at Texas A&M.
The MLK Breakfast serves as a formal way to reflect on the life, legacy and accomplishments of Dr. King. At Texas A&M, the hope of WBAC is to not only honor King, but to also make his legacy relevant for the university and its students, faculty and administration. This year’s theme was “Moving Forward.”
“Anyone and everyone can attend—students, faculty, staff, alumni and even residents of Bryan-College Station,” said Parker. “Our doors are open and all are welcome!”
The 2018 keynote speaker was Kevin Powell, a writer and social justice advocate, while the moderator was Dr. Albert Broussard, the first African-American faculty member in the Department of History at Texas A&M. “Kevin Powell did a phenomenal job this year of highlighting ways that we can be useful in our own communities,” said dePass, a member of the Corps of Cadets and political science major. “A specific phrase he said about always reading and continuously traveling made me cognizant of being a lifelong learner.”
Past speakers have included civil rights activists such as Dr. Angela Davis and Ruby Bridges, along with singer and activist Harry Belafonte—all individuals who exude Dr. King’s legacy.
Educating and Building Community
Founded in 1969 as an ad-hoc operating committee in the Memorial Student Center, the Black Awareness Committee took on the charge of addressing issues directly affecting black students at Texas A&M and providing cultural programming for the entire university community.
In 2004, the organization reestablished itself as the Carter G. Woodson Black Awareness Committee. Dr. Woodson, the founder of black history month, was a scholar and a teacher who believed in the power of knowledge.
“Dr. King and Dr. Woodson were both visionaries,” said Parker. “Dr. King’s message of love and peaceful protest changed the hearts of the masses. Woodson’s legacy changed the way this country recognized black history for years to come. They are both prime examples of change happening through hard work and dedication.”
WBAC provides the Texas A&M community with educational experiences that elucidate the culture and contributions of people of African descent and their impact on society. Its goals are simple and straightforward:
WBAC provides students the ability to build a community through various events and organizations.
- Expose all students and campus community members to educational programming related to black culture, history, heritage and the events throughout the African diaspora.
- Educate students and campus community members by providing relevant programming, diverse perspectives and engaging presenters.
- Explore ideas and issues germane to black people locally, regionally and around the world.
“Often times, minority students can feel lost at an institution of this magnitude,” said Parker. “Diversity organizations such as WBAC offer a space where people can not only come and learn about black history and culture, but also connect with other students who may feel the same way. Black history is rich and diverse. This organization gives us the chance to share it with the community.”
In addition to the annual MLK Breakfast, WBAC has designed multiple events to engage the campus community: “Soulful Sundays,” a celebration of Kwanzaa, Love Your Melanin Poetry and Spoken Word Night, and the Black Excellence Reception.
“WBAC is important because it offers enriching experiences and educational programming that everyone benefits from, not just those within the organization,” said dePass. “Soulful Sunday” dinners, for example, are held throughout the semester and give students the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with faculty members about topics that may relate to student’s college experiences. Additional events put on by WBAC’s 43 members include town halls, documentary screenings and African ballets.
To continue its exceptional programming, the organization seeks endowed support. A $750,000 endowment would enable the committee to bring high-caliber keynote speakers to the annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast and allow Texas A&M students to attend free of charge. Support for this endowment and other programmatic needs of the organization begins at $25,000, payable over a five-year period.
“WBAC has become a home for me. It’s given me a voice and a sense of community,” said Parker. “Not only have I met my closest friends through this organization, but I have also been able to cultivate the next generation of leaders as well. This organization has shed light on my value as an individual. It’s one thing to hear about your value from friends or your parents, but in WBAC, I saw how I helped an organization flourish. I’m confident now that I can do this in other facets of my life.”
To learn how you can support WBAC programming efforts, contact Torii Kapavik '11, director of development for the Division of Student Affairs, at (979) 862-1247 or tkapavik@txamfoundation.com. You can also click the "request a support kit" button below for more information.
