Early Bird

Congratulations to 2021 MLK Peace Award winners

The event’s theme, “Know Justice, Know Peace,” centered on the need for immediate radical change and raising awareness surrounding racial injustice.

January 18, 2021

The Metropolitan State University of Denver community came together Friday to celebrate the life, legacy and ideals of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual MLK Peace Awards. The event also celebrates MLK Award winners who keep King’s spirit and dream alive through their commitment to peace, justice, diversity, equality and social change.

This year’s theme, “Know Justice, Know Peace,” centered on the need for immediate radical change and raising awareness surrounding racial injustice. As King stated, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

“MLK’s work was revolutionary – he didn’t accept status quo. … He fought alongside those who believed in the dream of peace and justice for all,” said Amber Mozet, alumna and 2020 MLK Peace Awards Ceremony emcee, at the event.

Melina Abdullah, Ph.D., who is among the original group of organizers that convened to form Black Lives Matter and continues to serve as a Los Angeles chapter leader, provided the keynote address. She is also professor and chair of Pan-African Studies at California State University, Los Angeles.

“Most of us are fed the myth of Dr. King that’s about him being gifted, respectable, conciliatory … practicing pure nonviolence – and he did … but we also need to remember that his nonviolence was coupled w/direct action. His nonviolence was a tactic, not a vision,” Abdullah said in her address. “Dr. King was part of a movement, not the whole movement … not a messiah. Dr. King was a human being, with flaws, who transformed the world. ... We need to lift that up; I hope it emboldens us and affirms our sacred duty to engage in freedom struggle.”

The virtual event also included videos recognizing each of this year’s MLK Peace Award winners. Please join the MSU Denver community in applauding these outstanding campus and community leaders:

Chalane Lechuga, MLK Faculty Award Winner

Chalane Lechuga, MLK Faculty Award Winner from MSU Denver on Vimeo.

Alejandra Merjil, MLK Student Award Winner

Alejandra Merjil, MLK Student Award Winner from MSU Denver on Vimeo.

Vinnie Cervantes, MLK Community Award Winner

Vinnie Cervantes, MLK Community Award Winner from MSU Denver on Vimeo.