STLCC-Florissant Valley and NCCU’s 2022 Dr. MLK Jr. Celebration Is Now Virtual

St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley joins with North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice to present the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

The event is now completely virtual due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and to comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to avoid large public gatherings.

The virtual celebration will be 6-7:30 p.m. and will include inspiring speeches, celebration of excellence in the community with a formal award presentation, and more. The community is invited to enjoy the event 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 St. 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 in graphic communications at the College, will serve as emcee. Beyonce' Hightower and Javon Spearman, freshmen in general transfer students at the College, will be the student speakers. Participants will also hear winning speeches from NCCU’s Oratorical Contest. Alayna Epps, University of Missouri-St. Louis vocalist, will perform James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” She will be accompanied by pianist Paul Higdon, DMA, professor of music at the College. 

Emerson Electric Co. will receive 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 school,” said Elizabeth Gassel Perkins, Ed.D., campus president and chief academic officer at STLCC-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,” she added. “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.” 

The contingency date for the celebration, should the College close due to inclement weather, is Thursday, Jan. 20, on the same time schedule.