Students in all divisions came together to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s powerful legacy and reflected on how his fight for justice and equality ties directly to King School’s core virtues. Through engaging performances, videos, and presentations, they explored how their actions can create meaningful change in the world today.
Bookending the national holiday of service, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Dr. Clyde Beverly presented on the topic of “Connecting to Humanity’” to middle and upper school students on Thursday, January 16, and Tuesday, January 21.
The talks focused on how Dr. King’s teachings and philosophies can serve as guideposts for creating a more equal and just community.
“It starts here,” Beverly told the students. “You get to shape how King School looks, how your advisory looks, how your friend group looks. You get to make the decision whether ‘it is what it is’ or do we do better?”
Beverly used excerpts from "Your Life’s Blueprint," a 1967 speech Dr. King gave to Barratt Junior High School students, to emphasize the importance of developing self-respect, excellence, and persistence from an early age.
“It's important when we talk about connecting to humanity that you first have to have a deep respect for yourself and your self-worth because that's where it starts.”
Beverly encouraged students to advocate for justice, even in the face of challenges. Quoting Dr. King, he reminded the audience, "The time is always right to do what is right," urging them to act with integrity and courage in their daily lives.
The Lower School also held a vibrant celebration honoring Dr. King's enduring message of hope, equality, and justice. The event, on Thursday, January 23, featured special performances from middle and upper school choral students, a reading of letters to Dr. King from Grade 2 students, and an energetic presentation from Beverly titled “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ‘How Do We Connect With Others?’”
Through motivational words and a lively trivia game, Beverly seamlessly connected Dr. King's teachings to King School’s virtues of kindness, respect, integrity, and perseverance.
Each divisional presentation concluded by calling students to action — to make a career of humanity and discover ways to contribute to their communities. Through small acts of kindness or more extensive efforts to confront injustice, students were reminded of their capacity to build a just and inclusive world through Dr.King’s poignant quote: "If you can’t fly, run. If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl, but by all means, keep moving."