In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., members of the Suffolk community gathered to celebrate the accomplishments and impact of the university’s Black leaders at the 20th “Creating the Dream Awards” Jan. 28.
This year, the honorees were Student Government Association President and undergraduate senior Clinton Oreofe, law student Symone Mond, Associate Professor of Academic Support Elizabeth Stillman and the Center for First Generation and Education Equity. The award recognizes Suffolk students, faculty and staff who have been “instrumental in positively impacting BIPOC communities on campus,” according to the event page.
Against the backdrop of political unrest and unease about the future, the ceremony honored people pushing for more just opportunities for all and how they continue their work of equity and involvement.
“It is especially important right now to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and take the time to honor people in our community,” said Suffolk President Marisa Kelly.
The ceremony started with a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by singer/songwriter Tenille Ja’Nae. This is often referred to as the Black National Anthem and reflects the history of struggle for freedom and equality within the Black community and expresses themes of hope and unity.
After the performance, the Rev. Amy Fisher spoke, bringing the people in the audience into the moment of these recognitions. Fisher gave her “words of inspiration” to bring everyone together and further honor the legacy of King.
The first award recipient was Oreofe. Oreofe was the first Black male to serve as a SGA president.
“All I’ve been doing is be myself, this award is above me,” Oreofe said in a speech following the award.
Mond was the second person to receive the award. She is the president of the Black Law Students’ Association Suffolk University and a third-year law student. Kelly said that Mond has demonstrated an “unwavering commitment to social justice and equality.”
The next person to receive the “Creating the Dream” award was Stillman, an associate professor of academic support in the political science and legal studies department. She created the Race, Equity and Law (REAL) requirement for Suffolk law students.
Stillman said that the number of places where conversations and recognitions like this will continue to grow smaller and she is glad to be a part of an institution that prioritizes such values.
Finally, the Center for First Generation and Education Equity was awarded the “Creating the Dream” award. The center creates essential resources and opportunities for Black, Indigenous, people of color and other marginalized communities and gives a platform to students who may otherwise be overlooked by the education system, Kelly said.
Bryan Landgren, the assistant director of the Center for First Generation and Education Equity, said that this recognition is more important than ever and reminds them all why they show up every day.
“The stakes have never been higher and the work has never been more important,” Landgren said.
Danae Bucci, a news reporter for broadcast station WCVB, was the keynote speaker of the event. She emphasized the impact that. King had on his life and what his legacy has left. Additionally, Bucci said that news is more important than ever, and diversity in the news and who is covering it is crucial.
“Having a diverse set of reporters, producers and staff to pool their ideas together to tell a variety of stories is as important now as it’s ever been,” Bucci said.
The 20th year of the MLK “Creating the Dream Awards” held a special significance to the recipients, speakers and community that gathered. In an ever-changing political climate, recognizing essential people within the Suffolk community became an extra special honor this year.
Bucci and others recognized their roles in creating a more equal and better future for people of color inside and outside of Suffolk University.
“I find it exciting and comforting to know I can be part of normalizing diversity in the news,” Bucci said.
