Centenary Celebrates Dream Week
January 16th-21st marked Dream Week for Centenary students. Every year, this week is an opportunity for students to acknowledge the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, as well as listen to one another, learn from educators and community leaders, and volunteer their time to help the Shreveport community. The theme this year was “The Time is Now: Expanding the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King.” Several of the events like the Poetry Slam at the Meadows Museum, Chalk the Walk at Bynum Commons, and Mural Painting at the Student Union Building, allowed students to share their creativity. Events like the Mental Health Workshop with Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dr. Latoya Pierce and the Imposter Syndrome Colloquium led by Dr. Marie Vázquez Morgan taught students how to care for their mental health and grow their confidence while dealing with external pressures and challenging circumstances. Centenary’s Theatre Department in collaboration with Mahogany Ensemble Theatre, presented a Montgomery Bus Boycott play reading and included a talk-back with local civil rights activists to educate students about the historical context of protesting against segregation.
Three events in particular focused on strengthening the campus community and the Shreveport community at large. The first was a Degree Plan Workshop, where upper-level students along with faculty from the Registrar’s Office and the Learning Commons helped lower-level students fill out their degree plans. Due to a lack of guidance over several years, students typically struggle to complete their degree plans on their own, not knowing where to begin or even which version of the Academic Catalog to follow. Although the turnout for lower-level students was small this year, plenty of upper-level students were waiting and willing to help– they even learned a few things themselves from Dr. Lalita Rogers, who helped to fill a huge gap in knowledge about the degree plans.
The second community-centered event, A Call to Action: Engaging with Community Leaders, was hosted by students Markiese Boykin and Joel Cardenas-Lopez in the Whited Room. Students and faculty in attendance got to hear from a panel of community leaders who work in Shreveport politics, voter rights and LGBTQIA+ advocacy organizations, and practice law. The panel featured City Councilman Willie Bradford, Omari Ho-Sang, Breka Peoples, Steven Knight, and Hershey Jones.
When asked how and why he decided to pursue his career, Bradford, who has spent his career advocating for economic improvements in Shreveport and economic opportunity especially for minority groups, said he became aware of the racial and economic disparities when he was just twelve years old growing up during segregation. “Don’t ignore injustices and expect someone else to do something about it. You are somebody that can do something about it. Be prepared to do the best you can and be able to defend what you are doing” said Bradford.
Steven Knight, a Centenary graduate and Shreve Pride organizer, also responded to the question saying as a queer, black, Christian he felt mobilized to advocate for his community in the absence of representative leadership. He feels called to mentor and provide opportunities specifically for young people and those who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Knight also encouraged students to cultivate relationships with their peers and to be themselves. If you are looking to get involved in the fight for social justice, panelists recommended signing up for ShrevePride, PACE, The People’s Promise Youth Division, and All Streets All People.
Students ended Dream Week by volunteering at Ridgewood Middle School, where they spoke to middle school students about college in breakout groups. Centenary students shared advice and inspired them to start productive study habits. Ridgewood seeks to establish a stronger connection with Centenary in the coming years, with Centenary students providing its students with mentorship.
