St. John’s Recognizes Eight for Their Commitment to MLK’s Vision

St. John’s University celebrated the legacy of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 29 at an evening event sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) designed to begin the University’s recognition of Black History Month across the Queens, NY, campus. 

The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Dinner, held in the D’Angelo Center Ballroom, recognized seven members of the St. John’s community—including students Valent Benedict Guevarra, Syeda Hijab Fatima, Marcus Hardy, and Nikolai Sotelo—for their work in promoting Dr. King’s social justice agenda. 

Also honored were Noa Ben-Asher, J.S.D., Professor, St. John’s School of Law;  Kevin Reed ’75SJC, retired Managing Director of Citigroup Asset Management and member, St. John’s University Board of Trustees; Ermira Uldedaj, Training Programs and Initiatives Adviser, New York City Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence; and Amber Wilson, Director, St. John’s First-Year Mentoring programs.

The evening featured a performance by members of the St. John’s chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., which Dr. King joined while a student at Morehouse College from 1944 to 1948.

“You feel a sense of responsibility to Dr. King’s legacy as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha,” Treasurer Brendan Brown, a junior, said. “We have learned from him that you never know how strong your voice is. Even the quietest of us has something powerful to say.” 

Featured speakers included sports and political strategist Alexys Feaster, producer of Hoops, Hopes, & Dreams, a short film by the King family exploring how Dr. King used basketball to unite communities; and Jeffrion L. Aubry, Executive Director of the Next Gen Basketball Players Union, the bargaining representative of all National Basketball Association (NBA) G League players.

The longtime friends engaged in a panel discussion that touched on the enduring legacy of Dr. King and the values he championed—belonging, justice, and service—while recognizing the role athletes play in creating social impact.

“Throughout my life and career, the only thing I have used as a true North Star is service,” Ms. Feaster said. “Being on this campus today, I know that it is the North Star for so many people here. That is how you make an impact in other peoples’ lives.”

“Dr. King recognized four components that should be the blueprint of your life,” Mr. Aubrey added. “First, understand your personal value. Second, there must be a desire for education. Third, you must be driven toward excellence. And fourth, there must be a commitment to love and justice, and that is the most important one because it gives direction to everything you do in your life.” 

Mr. Aubrey and Ms. Feaster have both watched some NBA players grow from unassuming but gifted athletes into mature spokespeople for social justice.

However, Ms. Feaster said such activism comes with a cost. 

“A lot of athletes have said things like, ‘we have to wait for LeBron James to go first; if he does not touch it, we will not,’” Ms. Feaster said. “I understand the mentality of a younger athlete— they have a lot more to lose than LeBron or Stephen Curry. It can impact their ability to be marketable.”          

The theme of the evening—Reimagining the Dream in a Global Society—called on attendees to remain true to Dr. King’s ideals even as technological advances and political differences sharpen divides between people. Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., University President, noted that Dr. King’s vision was rooted in a timeless philosophy, articulated by St. Thomas Aquinas and quoted by Dr. King in his 1963 letter from a Birmingham, AL, jail.   

“An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law, God’s law, or natural law,” Fr. Shanley explained. “Having the clarity, courage, and conscience to stand up for what is right is one of the most important legacies Dr. King has left us.”  

Mr. Reed—presented with the John Lewis Bridge Builder Award, named for the late Georgia congressman and civil rights activist—said Dr. King’s ideals are consistent with the University’s Vincentian heritage and will remain so. “It is within that framework that St. John’s is strong,” Mr. Reed said. “We have the advantage of benefiting from students of many faiths, cultures, languages, and life experiences.” 

The other professional honorees included

• Dr. Ben-Asher—The Audre Lorde Faculty Award, named for the activist writer and teacher of the 1970s to 1990s. “It is an honor to inspire students to think about justice in the world,” Dr. Asher said.
• Ms. Uldedaj—The John Baker Justice Through Service Award, named for the community leader who was active in the 1970s and 80s.
• Ms. Wilson—The Septima Clark Education for Empowerment Award, named for the voting rights leader of the 1950s and 1960s.

Student honorees Marcus and Syeda shared the Malcolm X Award for Courageous Advocacy. Valent and Nikolai shared the Bayard Rustin Civil Rights Movement Award, named for a key strategist of the civil rights era who was active in the 1950s and 1960s.

“This shows that student voices are valuable and recognized at St. John’s,” Valent said. “No matter how small you think your voice is, it can make a difference.”