Florissant Valley and NCCU’s 2022 Dr. MLK Jr. Celebration
Monday, December 13, 2021
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The community event – which is from 6-7:30 p.m. – will include an opportunity to add to the MLK wall, hear inspiring speeches, celebrate excellence in the community with a formal award presentation, and more. The community is invited to attend the celebration in the Terry M. Fischer Theatre at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, 3400 Pershall Road in Ferguson. Seating is limited to 150, so please visit the link address below to RSVP. Keep in mind: Masks are required indoors. Alternatively, participants can enjoy the event virtually by visiting stlcc.edu/go/fvmlkday or 89.5 KCFV-FM “The Wave.”
Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides social services, will speak on the celebration’s theme, “We’re Better Together.”
McMillan is a member of the boards of directors of numerous organizations and has received hundreds of awards and commendations from various organizations. Most recently, he was inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame as its youngest member and named the 2020 Person of the Year by the St. Louis American.
Keeping with tradition, north St. Louis County students will lead and participate in the celebration. Tyler Hoskins, a freshman, graphic communications student at the College, will serve as emcee. Beyonce' Hightower and Javon Spearman, freshmen, general transfer students at the College, are the student speakers. Participants will also hear winning speeches from NCCU’s Oratorical Contest and a musical performance of James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by Alayna Epps, University of Missouri-St. Louis vocalist, accompanied by Paul Higdon, DMA, professor of music and pianist.
In addition to being inspired by rousing speakers and a musical performance, guests will learn more about why Emerson Electric Co. is being honored with the 2022 Dr. Rance Thomas Excellence in Community Partnership Award.
“I can’t begin to count all the ways Emerson has shown its support. Most recently, thanks to Emerson, STLCC-Florissant Valley is home of the Emerson STEM Academy, a program that ensures students are ready for STEM careers and majors after graduating from high,” said Elizabeth Gassel Perkins, Ed.D., campus president and chief academic officer at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley.
“Emerson had a sincere interest in joining us in the work of preparing young minds for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math, and as a result, provided us with a $1 million grant that made creating the dedicated tutoring and learning space, covering the costs of books and materials for students, and making both transportation and enrichment programs possible. We deeply appreciate our partnership with Emerson. This is just one of the many ways Emerson has supported STLCC, the Florissant Valley campus and the community.”
Following Dr. King’s commitment to service, guests are asked to make a donation to the Archers’ Market, a campus food pantry for STLCC students to get food and hygiene items free of charge.
The Archers’ Market has an abundance of canned vegetables; donations are requested for deodorant (for men and women), drink mixes and single-serve flavor packets for water like hot chocolate and tea, feminine hygiene (tampons, pads and panty liners), hand warmers, lotion, men’s razors, microwavable shelf-stable meals, nuts, protein bars and granola bars, single-serve soups, socks, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, trail mix, and winter gloves.
Leading up to the celebration, STLCC-Florissant Valley students and employees created messages on sticky notes in keeping with the theme that form the letters MLK on a theatre wall. Community members will also have an opportunity to add to the MLK wall during the celebration.
The contingency date for the celebration, should the College close due to inclement weather, is Thursday, Jan. 20 on the same time schedule.