The Forum

MLK Celebration at Flo Valley’s Terry M. Fischer Theatre: “Don’t Give Up on the Dream”

By: Stephanie Licklider

February 2025

In his keynote speech, STLCC Chief Engagement Officer D'Andre Braddix talks about his relationship to racist family members in the past as a biracial man, connecting it to the need to be compassionate to yourself and others. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
Jennifer Goines Warren, STLCC student and vocalist, sings a portion of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at the opening of the MLK Day celebration. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
Florissant Valley Campus President Elizabeth Perkins speaks at the podium and announces the winner of the Dr. Rance Thomas Excellence in Community Partnership Award as Navigate Building Solutions before welcoming STLCC Chancellor Jeff Pittman to the stage. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
Jeff Pittman, the chancellor of St. Louis Community College, praises Navigate Building Solutions for their work on STLCC's new buildings, identifying their contributions to the campus-wide revitalization of the college as the reason for their award. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
Jeff Pittman and Elizabeth Perkins shake hands with representatives of Navigate as they present them with the award. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
Representatives of Navigate Building Solutions pose with Elizabeth Perkins and Jeff Pittman as they accept the award. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
Navigate Co-Founder Craig Schluter speaks at the podium of his company's accomplishments as he accepts the Excellence in Community Partnership Award. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Licklider.
Representatives of Navigate Building Solutions pose with the award for a photo with Elizabeth Perkins. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Licklider.
Barbara Thompson, president of North County Churches United for Racial Harmony and Justice (NCCU), talks about Dr. Rance Thomas Excellence in Community Partnership Award's namesake, her organization, and introduces the essay contest winners. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
Kenneth Brown, a seventh grader from Hazelwood North Middle School presents the first speech of the five essay winners. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
Essay contest winner Daniela Lagos, who is in 10th grade at McCluer High School, gives her speech at the podium. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
STEAM High School senior Dani Strehle is the third orator of the five presented by NCCU. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
Antoinette Davis, the first of the two adult essay contest winners, reads her speech to the audience. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
 Central Middle School teacher Leonette White-Hilliard, of the Riverview Gardens School District, another adult speaker and the last of the five winners, speaks at the podium. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
The five NCCU contest winners pose for a photo with their awards next to Barbara Thomas. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Licklider.
D'Andre Braddix emphasized in his speech to event attendees the need to keep moving towards a better future for all people while also acknowledging how far we've come since the time of MLK. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
Braddix addresses modern challenges to civil rights and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, editor.
Harold Wallace III, district manager of engagement, thanks members of the MLK Celebration Planning Committee at the close of the celebration. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
Student art and celebration attendees after the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
Student art submitted for the MLK Day celebration lines the walls of the Terry M. Fischer Theater. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin, student editor.
Celebration attendees talk while enjoying refreshments and student art after the program. Photo courtesy of Vienna I. Austin.

“Don’t Give Up on the Dream” was the theme of this year’s essay contest for Flo Valley’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. The essay writers wrote about what this theme meant to them, referencing Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. The event also featured singers, an award presentation, and a keynote speech by D’Andre Braddix, STLCC’s chief engagement officer. What does this theme mean to you?