2016 MLK, Jr., Freedom Breakfast

Earlier today, the UGA community gathered for the 13th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Breakfast in the Grand Hall of the tate Student Center. Sponsored by UGA, the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government and the Clarke County School District, the MLK Freedom Breakfast commemorates the life of the late civil rights leader. This year's theme was "The Power of the Dream: One Step at a Time" and featured a keynote speech by Stacey Y. Abrams, House minority leader for the Georgia General Assembly and state representative for the 89th House District:

Abrams is the first woman to lead either party in the Georgia General Assembly and is the first African-American to lead in the House of Representatives. She serves on the Appropriations, Ethics, Judiciary Non-Civil, Rules, and Ways and Means committees.

The breakfast also featured remarks from associate provost Michelle Cook, President Morehead, ACC Mayor Nancy Denson and Franklin College Dean Alan Dorsey. The event included a wonderful tribute to the late Dr. Richard Graham, the first full time African-American faculty member at UGA. Members of his family were among the honored guests at the breakfast.

A wonderful celebration and commemoration, the annual breakfast brings together the campus and Athens communities in a way that no other event quite does. Congratulations to the 2016 President's Fulfilling the Dream Award winners, UGA professor William Kisaalita, Athens businessman  and civic leader Homer Wilson and UGA student Darren Anglin. We're very proud of your accomplishments.

Image: l-r: Mildren Graham, Dr. Olin Parker, Dean Dorsey, and Dr. Gregory Graham. Photo by Debbie Daniel.