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Speakers at Annual MLK Memorial Tribute Encourage Love, Action

by Joe Barker on 01/18/2024

01/18/2024

Ilyasah Shabazz fondly remembers a lesson she learned from her mother, the late Betty Shabazz.

After the assassination of her husband, Malcolm X, Betty Shabazz had six daughters to raise. Ilyasah Shabazz said her mother set out to make sure her daughters knew about the significant contributions of women in history, the accomplishments of Africans, and the importance of Islam. One lesson, however, stood out — the idea of self-love.

“If I don't love myself, I certainly cannot love you,” Ilyasah Shabazz said. 

Ilyasah Shabazz, left, and Xernona Clayton, participate in a fireside chat during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on January 18, 2024.

Ilyasah Shabazz, left, and Xernona Clayton participate in a fireside chat during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Thursday, Jan. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.

Shabazz shared this story Thursday morning in the Wool Ballrooms of the Busch Student Center for the 12th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute. The event, hosted by Saint Louis University and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, featured awards and recognitions, music from The Coleman Hughes Project, and concluded with a fireside chat between Shabazz and Civil Rights Activist Xernona Clayton. 

Throughout the ceremony, the theme of love was prominent. 

In his remarks, Saint Louis University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., said he was thrilled to be in a room “overflowing with hope and overflowing with joy.” He said the University strives to follow the leadership of Dr. King. 

“We are inspired by the example of Dr. King,” he said “We believe in the power and the potential of communities that are grounded in love.”

Pestello said the annual breakfast is always a highlight, with people of different backgrounds gathered at SLU to remember Dr. King while also looking forward.

“Our nation needs more of this,” he said. 

Members of the crowd laugh during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Thursday, Jan. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy. 

Members of the crowd laugh during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Thursday, Jan. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy. 

Pestello encouraged everyone in attendance to lead the charge for change.

“If things are to change, it is incumbent on us to come together and put our shoulders to the wheel and move things forward,” he said. 

Pestello was not alone in calling for action. Michael P. McMillan, event emcee and President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, also encouraged the audience to act. With New Year’s resolutions fresh in everyone’s mind, McMillan challenged the packed crowd to do acts of kindness and track them on their cell phones. 

“Do something that would fulfill the dream of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X,” McMillan said. “Do one act of kindness. Give your time. Say hello to a homeless person. Do something every single day and register it so that at the end of the year, you can see your living was not in vain.”

During the fireside chat, Clayton echoed McMillan. She shared a story about how she helped a community get electricity and allowed the children to go to school. Because of her efforts, 50,000 people have access to electricity, clean water, and access to education. 

“Help someone,” she said. “It feels so good, and I recommend it.”

Like the others, Clayton, who worked with Dr. King, also talked about the importance of love. Clayton recalled being in the room when King and Malcolm X met for the first time. She said many thought the two leaders would fight, but instead, they hugged. 

Shabazz’s final remarks served as another challenge to the crowd. She said it is important to “control the narrative.”

“Sometimes we sit back and point fingers — we must accept responsibility for the change that we want,” she said. 

Honorees

During the event, the awards were given to a group of academic, civic, business, and political leaders.

Author, Community Organizer and Social Activist, Ilyasah Shabazz, center, accepts the Drum Major for Justice Award during the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on January 18, 2024.

Author, Community Organizer and Social Activist, Ilyasah Shabazz, center, accepts the Drum Major for Justice Award during  the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute on Thursday, Jan. 18. Photo by Sarah Conroy.

The honorees were: