Millbrook honored the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by welcoming two guests to campus to engage with students and faculty. Keynote speakers Jonathan Lee and Dr. Stephanie Akoumany spoke on Dr. King’s legacy and the ongoing struggle for a just society. Director of DEI Prince Botchway planned a day of activities called Keep Moving!: 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium, designed to educate and inspire participants by using Dr. King’s call to work for progress and change.
Held in the Chelsea Morrison Theater and streamed across campus, the program kicked off with the Wogbejeke Drum Performers and featured remarks from Mr. Lee and Dr. Akoumany followed by student performances and closing words from Headmaster Jonathan Downs ’98. Students then split off by form for reflective exercises and workshops on mindfulness and community-building.
In the spirit of Dr. King’s message that “everybody can be great, because everybody can serve,” Millbrook community members were encouraged to donate clothing and personal care items to be distributed by Hudson River Housing to those in need. All students took time to ‘Pause & Ponder’ during the day through reflective writing and were encouraged to keep the work of Dr. King in mind all year.
It is inspiring to see critical thinking taught as an interactive process for the greater good of humanity! Mr Botchway is to be commended for implementing a strength based, self improvement, diverse program! Refreshing and timely!!
Jacquelyn Coots
1/21/2022 @ 6:35 PM
Kudos to Mr. Botchway for spearheading this effort. I applaud Millbrook for recognizing the ever-increasing need for diversity. May you continue on this path that Dr. King envisioned for our country and the world.