Arkansas State University celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a guest speaker.

The event, originally set at The Fowler Center, was held at Fullness of Joy Ministries Church after being rescheduled due to winter weather. The event hosted the original guest speaker, Jannie M. Cotton. 

In an A-State press release, Lonnie Williams Ph.D., vice chancellor for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement, said a good guest speaker can inspire and engage an audience.

“Ms. Cotton fits that bill with her style of delivery, her accomplishments as CEO, her education, and notable awards received,” Williams said. 

Nikesha Nesbitt Ph.D., dean of University College, introduced the guest speaker. 

“She is the first Black woman in Arkansas to serve as chief executive officer of a significant mental health organization,” Nesbitt said. “Her most notable awards are the Senator Erma Hunter Brown Leadership Award, the Monroe “Billy” Murdock Woman of the Year Award, the LRAC Physical and Mental Health Award, the Woman of Excellence Award and the most fitting for today, the MLK Trailblazer Award.”

Cotton addressed the audience about progress, disadvantages in Arkansas and what more can be done.

Cotton mentioned the elections of Barack Obama and Kamala Harris as progress for the Black community and said Black history is the foundation of American history.

“This nation was built by our ancestors, through sweat, prayers and tears,” Cotton said.

The guest speaker also talked about ongoing issues in Arkansas and how those problems impact the Black community.

“We have the lowest voter registration and voter turnout in every area of Arkansas, the highest mail-in ballot rejection rate, highest maternal mortality. How many of you know that’s mostly Black women?” Cotton said.

In addition to these disadvantages, Cotton also mentioned food insecurity and poor healthcare, education, and mental health access as problems affecting Arkansas.

Cotton suggested ways action could be taken against these issues.

“Go to PTA meetings, school board meetings, raise hell if you have to at city council meetings and let them know you’re paying attention,” she said.

Cotton asked the audience what they were doing to create change.

“You cannot sit on the sidelines or at home watching soap operas on your couch eating popcorn if we want effective change,” the speaker said.

She referenced King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” but said a dream is only in the mind unless the dreamer turns it into a goal.

Mayor Harold Copenhaver briefly spoke to the crowd and shared a quote from King that he has in his office that says, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” 

“(MLK) has opened the door and continues to open the door and that’s what we strive to do in our community for everybody,” Copenhaver said. 

“What the world needs now is a movement that we all can participate in to move us forward as we exercise our voice, our rights and our freedom to choose,” Cotton said.

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