The 39th annual Martin Luther King Jr. March on Jan. 23 wasn’t just a campus walk; it was a powerful statement of unity, justice and the ongoing fight for equality.
Despite the freezing temperatures, over 50 students, faculty and staff gathered in the David Eisler Center to honor King’s legacy and continue his work in today’s politically and socially uncertain times.
Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Dr. David Pilgrim kicked off the event with an inspiring address.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Pilgrim said. “This campus belongs to all of us, and these values are embedded in our strategic plan. Belonging is about more than acceptance, it’s about community.”
Pilgrim emphasized collective responsibility, urging the crowd to recognize that the fight for justice is personal.
“When other people are hurt, I should hurt,” Pilgrim said. “We as a community must share the responsibility to fight injustice.”
His words resonated deeply as he discussed the current challenges facing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, particularly in light of recent political shifts. As Pilgrim noted, the rollback of federal DEI initiatives serves as a stark reminder that the fight for justice requires courage.
“It takes courage now,” Pilgrim said. “Are we going to live out our core values, or are we going to be moved?”
The event was organized by the Office of Multicultural Student Services with Marcia Alger, the office’s administrative assistant, playing a key role in coordinating the march. Alger explained that her team worked closely with campus groups to ensure the event was accessible.
“The march helps build a sense of belonging,” Alger said. “It helps to have these types of events to make sure that people feel welcome on campus. It’s all about creating a community where we support one another.”
This year, OMSS partnered with Career and Professional Success Services to encourage more student involvement, and Alger noticed a significant increase in engagement.
“We definitely have more student involvement this year,” Alger said. “We hope to keep growing the scope of these events. This year, we had three days of activities, but next year we want to extend it to four days.”
Business administration junior and OMSS student assistant Jaala Irvine shared the march’s significance from a student perspective. Irvine, who helped promote the event on social media, expressed pride in being part of the march.
“I’m just grateful to be a part of something like this,” Irvine said. “In a predominantly white institution, it’s heartwarming to know that we have a community where people care about the cause, not just people of color, but everyone.”
Irvine emphasized how the march fosters solidarity and community on campus.
“It shows that we have each other’s backs,” Irvine said. “We may not know each other personally, but we share a common goal, and we’re here to reach it together.” Irvine also noted that the march was a reminder that the fight for justice doesn’t end with King’s legacy. She encouraged students to take an active role in making Ferris a place where activism and inclusion are at the forefront year-round.
“We still stand for the same values he fought for,” Irvine said. “No matter what’s happening politically.”
The march wasn’t just symbolic, it’s part of a larger effort to amplify underrepresented voices and encourage ongoing social justice engagement. Irvine stressed the importance of events that go beyond celebration and focus on education.
“We need events like Women’s History Month and Black History Month to be both fun and educational,” Irvine said. “It’s about remembering the cause, not just the celebration.”
As the march ended, Pilgrim’s words stayed with participants: “Are we going to be moved or not?”
The event reminded everyone that the fight for justice, equity and inclusion is ongoing and requires both courage and community.
For students like Irvine, the march was more than just a walk; it was an opportunity to reaffirm the university’s commitment to diversity and belonging.
“This is a place where we have each other’s backs,” Irvine said. “And it’s important to keep showing up and supporting one another.”
With events like the MLK Jr. March, Ferris is not just honoring King’s legacy, but continuing the work he began, reminding everyone that justice requires all of us to stand together.
With Black History Month coming up, the OMSS plans to keep the campus calendar updated with information regarding their planned events.