Justice in Action: Collective Voices Unite at Bentley MLK Event
Can art empower marginalized voices? Why was the iconic 1968 film “Night of the Living Dead” so groundbreaking for Black actors? What does it mean to be Jewish in today’s world and how can we stand together against anti-Semitism? How are communities of color disproportionately impacted by environmental and climate hazards?
The Bentley community tackled these and other questions during a day-long MLK Program sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Division of Academic Affairs and the MLK Committee, chaired by Mary Marcel, associate professor of Experience Design. Held on January 28 and now in its 39th year, the beloved tradition has grown from a breakfast celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to a full day of social justice programming that includes learning modules, panel discussions and hands-on activities. The university canceled day and evening classes to help elevate participation by students, faculty, staff and alumni. New this year: an interactive app allowing attendees to add sessions to their calendar, receive updates and engage with other attendees. More than 1,600 people downloaded the app to register for sessions.
This year’s theme, “Action for Justice,” sparked conversations to raise awareness and help participants explore ways to show solidarity for social justice issues.
The program kicked off with a powerful video commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.
Video by Caleb Gowett, Kevin Maguire and Maddie Schroeder.
The event drew a diverse group of outside speakers, including:
- Shalini Kantayya, Emmy-nominated filmmaker whose portfolio includes “TikTok, Boom.” — a film highlighting the impact of the social media app on geopolitical controversy between the U.S. and China — and “Coded Bias” — a film exploring research findings regarding facial recognition inaccuracies with darker-skinned faces
- José Francisco Ávila ’80, manager of Garifuna Afro-Latino Entertainment and author (“Garífuna Ancestry: The DNA Quest to Decipher the Garifuna Distant Past” and “Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride: My Quest for Racial, Ancestral, Ethnic and Cultural Identity”)
- Victor Luckerson, author of “Built from the Fire,” which chronicles the history of Tulsa’s Greenwood District through the eyes of families who have called the place home for generations
- Tony Martin, associate director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at TripAdvisor and expert in global strategies for equity, diversity and inclusion in the tech industry
- Nicole Obi, president of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, an organization dedicated to driving economic equity and prosperity for Massachusetts to achieve inclusive growth through advocacy, programming and strategic partnerships that enable Black-owned businesses and Black communities to thrive
- Tiffany Warren ’97, Bentley trustee, executive vice president and chief diversity & inclusion officer at Sony Music Group (SMG) and founder and president of ADCOLOR, which champions diversity and inclusion in creative industries by raising voices and encouraging mentorship
Programming was also inspired and presented by students, alumni, faculty and staff. Among those represented: the Bentley Inclusive Excellence Committee, Indigenous Education Steering Committee, Bentley MOSAIC Alumni Council and student organizations — including the African Student Association, Black United Body, La Cultura Latina and National Association of Black Accountants.
The 2025 Dr. Earl L. Avery MLK Leadership Award winners were announced during the morning program: Miriam Acajabon, senior administrative assistant of Student Programs and Engagement; and Jaychele Nicole Schenck ’26. The award is given each year to a member of the Bentley community whose work has been consistent with the ideals of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of building inclusivity and opportunity for all identities.
Advocacy Through the Arts
This year’s lineup included a family-friendly event to create a visual art installation using 50 individual canvases representing a U.S. state. Each canvas portrays an activist or DEI champion born in that state and together forms the map of the country.
Artist Ifé Franklin taught an art workshop in creating small slave cabin structures using craft sticks, fabric, shells, raffia, beads and buttons. The activity was inspired by the artist’s Indigo Project, which honors the lives, culture and history of the formerly enslaved.
Participants also gathered for a screening of “Night of the Living Dead.” Directed by George A. Romero, the film was trailblazing for casting a male Black actor, Duane Jones, as the film’s lead hero, Ben.
“In an era when Hollywood predominantly cast Black actors in supporting or stereotypical roles, having a Black man as the intelligent, calm, and resourceful protagonist was highly unconventional,” says Distinguished Lecturer in Film and Media Studies Jeff Stern, who hosted the screening. “Jones’ character is our multi-faceted flawed hero and Romero’s decision to cast him challenged racial norms in cinema. The timing of the film’s release in 1968, just months after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., adds significant relevance to the film’s social commentary.”
The MLK program’s success was showcased by the diverse turnout and reactions from participants:
“It was an honor to return to my alma mater to commemorate the life and enduring impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to share my experiences as a member of the Garifuna (Afro-Indigenous) People and as an Afro-Hispanic in the U.S. It was also amazing to see the program’s growth from a breakfast to a full-day event and reflect on the progress we’ve made.
As a member of the Garifuna (Afro-Indigenous) People and as an Afro-Hispanic community, I had the honor of meeting students from my native country of Honduras, including a Garifuna student. I also met students from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Guatemala and El Salvador.
As a first-generation college student who attended Bentley when its student population was 98 percent white and most had family legacies at Bentley, it was great to see the results of the university’s efforts of diversifying their student body. As we travel, explore, and learn, let’s carry Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream forward by connecting with others, embracing diversity and striving to make the world a better place.”
“I attended two engaging sessions for the inspiring MLK event, and their decision to cancel classes to allow more students to attend this event had represented the diversity and inclusion this university stands by. The first session I attended was a Talent Showcase & Celebration where individuals expressed their artistry through slam poetry, dance, trumpet performance and even a breathtaking drum and piano duo by a father and son. An alumni’s young daughter also impressed the audience with her drum solo.
The second session I attended was 50 Voices: A Portrait of Activism Across America. This session provided the opportunity for each participant to create a portrait of an activist representing a different state, highlighting the diverse voices shaping meaningful change. This event was a powerful tribute to MLK’s legacy, blending artistic expression with activism.”
“The MLK Day celebration seeks to provide a platform where honest and brave conversations happen around racial justice, equity and upward mobility for the BIPOC community — specifically the Black community who sadly still has a long way to go in receiving equal justice in this world.
The day does not only amplify the voices of those whose primary role is to facilitate the excellent education received at Bentley, but also those of students who themselves played an important and pivotal role in educating and uplifting their peers.
What stood out most to me is the ownership and autonomy students had in creating workshops and activities to not only honor Dr. King, but each other. The student organizations — including National Association of Black Accountants, African Student Association and Black United Body — all created powerful programming to educate and raise awareness to the Bentley community and I could not be prouder for their hard work.”
“One of the most striking points Nicole [president of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts] made was regarding the economic disparities faced by Black households in Greater Boston, which is why the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts was established: to bridge this gap and create pathways for Black economic empowerment. It was inspiring to see how, when people are mobilized, it can create a positive impact on the most vulnerable and provide opportunities for resources to reach financial stability.
When asked how students could contribute to this mission, Nicole encouraged us to seek community and collaboration. She stressed the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who inspire and challenge us to evolve. Additionally, she urged Bentley to commit real resources to support equitable initiatives, emphasizing that resilience is key: When we face setbacks, we must learn to rise and keep moving forward.
As a first-generation college student, Nicole’s journey and her use of her success to uplift others resonate deeply. I believe that business can catalyze meaningful change.”
“It’s a wonderful testament of our commitment to justice that today we all join together to learn as a community how we can continue Dr. King’s legacy. I've seen students, staff and faculty all engage in meaningful and respectful dialogue.
It is my hope that we continue these traditions and keep questioning ourselves on how we can be better citizens and work towards a more just society.”
“One of the things that was inspiring to me during [President of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts] Nicole Obi’s talk was hearing how she and her team are fighting back against the current wave of anti-DEI legislation at the federal level. In volatile times with loads of public discourse on DEI initiatives, it was powerful to see and hear that there are still groups such as BECMA fighting for the rights of underrepresented communities, and even more powerful to see Bentley University, through events like the MLK Day Celebration, provide a platform to amplify these voices and be a force that guides and makes an impact on current social issues.”
–Nate Puglielli ’25, Marketing major with minors in Law and Politics
“Understanding our biases is essential to both our personal and professional success. It is important to remember that our perceptions of others are not wholly representative of their identity or abilities.”
–Kristina Esserian ’26, Management major with a concentration in Entrepreneurship, and minors in Philosophy and Law
“There is no cookie-cutter approach when it comes to progress. Each individual must first look inward and then take the appropriate steps to respect all in a way that remains true to themselves.”
–Katrina Esserian ’26, Business Law major, Philosophy minor
Photos by Caleb Gowett, Kevin Maguire and Maddie Schroeder.