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Pursuing a career in humanity is what’s needed today and is something that would honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., according to the Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson. Wilson, president and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund, was the keynote speaker at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 40^th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Luncheon on Jan. 18 on the Edwardsville campus.  

Noting King’s passion and concern for protecting children, eradicating poverty and realizing economic equity, Wilson highlighted the current situation as it related to the topics.   

“Here 60 years post King, we still have much work to do,” said Wilson.  

The speaker left the audience with a challenge, wrapped in a reflection to elevate the country’s founding principles. “In the call to be a greater nation, we recognize that ‘America: The Nation’ has never been ‘America: The Idea,’” he said. “The Idea is powerful! One person – one vote. There is no respecter of person based upon color, or gender, or sexual orientation, or chosen identification. But this ‘America’ has never been.”    

Also on program was the recognition of the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. award winners. They include: 

• Student scholarship recipient – Kiya Rainey, junior in the SIUE School of Health, Education, Health and Human Behavior 
• Youth essay contest – Grace Griffin, eighth grader at Marian Middle School in St. Louis, Mo. 
• Humanitarian Award – Dominic Dorsey II, director of SIUE’s ACCESS (Accessible Campus Community and Equitable Student Support) and founder of D.O.N.T S.L.E.E.P. (Deconstructing Oppression Now Through Solidarity Liberation Empowerment Equity and Perseverance) 

Photos:  
Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson. Wilson, president and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund, was the keynote speaker at SIUE’s 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Luncheon.