In 1985, Durham Tech’s third president, Dr. Phail Wynn Jr., established the College’s formal observance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. This was just two years after the holiday received federal recognition — and well before all 50 states approved it as a paid holiday for state employees.
Over the past four decades, Durham Tech’s MLK celebration has grown in both size and significance, and 2026 was no exception.
This year’s program focused on the urgent and interconnected issues of food insecurity and housing instability. Attendees heard powerful reflections from Nimasheena Burns, president and chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity of Durham; Durham Tech alumnus Gaebryl Vives, program assistant for the Briggs Avenue Community Garden; Mariah Murrell, chief community impact officer for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina; and Rabbi Daniel Greyber of Beth El Synagogue.
While these speakers come from different backgrounds and sectors, they share a deep commitment to service and to building a culture of care. Each organization also partners with Durham Tech in the shared mission of expanding access to essential resources for students and the broader community.
Music has long been a hallmark of the MLK Celebration, provided by the all-volunteer MLK Choir. This year’s program featured guest vocalist Kenneth Ringgold, whose stirring rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” set the tone for the day. Cooke’s connection to Durham is well documented: He was in the city during the sit-ins organized by North Carolina College at Durham (now North Carolina Central University) and drafted the song while riding a Durham city bus. Cooke’s words continue to resonate as a message of resilience and hope.
Another cherished tradition of the MLK celebration is the student essay contest, which awards a $500 scholarship. Students are invited to select a quote or passage from Dr. King’s writings that holds personal meaning and reflect on how its themes connect to their own lived experiences. This year’s winning essays were written by Tayo Leshaodo and Cyrus Tareh, two international students who demonstrated courage and determination by leaving their home countries in pursuit of opportunity and a better future in the United States.
The 2026 celebration also introduced a new tradition. Members of the all-volunteer MLK Celebration Committee organized a Winter Break Service Project to support students during the two-week period when the College — and the Campus Harvest Food Pantry — is closed. Through the collection of shelf-stable food items and Food Lion gift cards, the project yielded more than 1,000 pounds of food and $1,400 in donations, providing critical support to 100 students and their families over the winter break.
It is no accident that the word community is central to Durham Tech’s name — and reflected in the work of every program participant. This celebration exemplifies who we are as an institution and how we continue to show up for one another.