FIU celebrates 18th annual MLK breakfast

More than 500 people celebrated the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during Florida International University’s 18th annual MLK commemorative breakfast held on Jan. 16 at the Graham University Center Ballroom at University Park.

The event’s keynote speaker was Julianne Malveaux, president of Bennett College for Women. Malveaux is an economist, author and commentator known for her insight on issues such as race, culture, gender and their economic impacts. Malveaux also is known for her syndicated columns and her regular appearances on CNN, BET and other television outlets.

The event’s emcee was CBS 4 anchor and reporter Marybel Rodriguez, who announced the winners of the annual MLK essay contest and the MLK Peace and Service awards.

Each year, graduating Miami-Dade County School students submit an essay with King serving as the inspiration, and they compete for three prizes.  The first-place winner receives a $2,000 tuition scholarship for the first academic year at FIU.  The second-place winner receives $1,000 toward the first semester’s tuition and the third-place winner receives $500 that can be applied to his or her first semester at FIU. Each recipient also receives a $1,000 meal award from Aramark Food Services and a $500 book award from the FIU Bookstore.

The essay winners were: Angelica Marie Spicer of Monsignor Edward Pace High School (first place), Anthony Bonamy of Miami Central Senior High (second place) and Charite McLudmer of Miami Central Senior High (third place).

The annual Peace Award is presented to an FIU student involved in extracurricular activities that promote social justice and the ideas for which King stood. This year’s winner was Patricia Desir, a junior majoring in Health Services Administration .

The annual Service Award honors a faculty or staff member who exemplifies King’s goals and ideals. This year’s winner was Cheryl Nowell, director of the University Counseling Center.

Proceeds from the breakfast go toward the MLK Scholarship Fund.