Alabama State University News January 20, 2015 Boyd ‘Set the Sanctuary on Fire’ at King Center’s MLK Celebration By Lois G. Russell In a speech reminiscent of those delivered at rallies during the historic Civil Rights Movement, ASU President Gwendolyn E. Boyd gave a speech of national significance and global proportions during the King’s Center 47th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service in Atlanta. Boyd was asked to deliver the keynote address by the Rev. Dr. Bernice King, who explained during her introduction of Boyd that the invitation was given in part because of her father’s relationship with Alabama State University. “She (Dr. Boyd) is the first female and only second alumnus to serve as president of Alabama State University, a college that was integral to many aspects of the Civil Rights Movement and even the place where my father found refuge when he was completing his Ph.D. degree,” said King. “So, it’s no accident that she’s here on this morning.” Boyd built upon King’s introduction as she opened her speech, sharing more details about the connection between the Civil Rights Movement and the university that she now leads. Boyd explained that King and his family stayed in the president’s home on campus when their home was bombed; many of the institution’s students, faculty and staff marched along with other freedom fighters; the flyers that were distributed for the Montgomery Bus Boycott were copied by Joann Robinson and ASU students in the basement of the building that now houses Boyd’s office; and several notable figures from the movement received their degrees from ASU, including the Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy, Rev. F. D. Reese and Fred Gray, who as a young man, served as the attorney for both Rosa Parks and King. “But another point that I was made aware of when Ambassador Andrew Young visited (our campus) was that … three young women were also born in and raised in Marion, Ala. (the birthplace of ASU): Coretta Scott King, Juanita Abernathy and Jean Young,” added Boyd. Boyd’s speech centered on the theme for the service: “Celebrate. Remember. Act.” Many of her remarks drew cheers and thunderous applause as she reminded the audience that “there is still much to do.” “We look at the yellow crime scene tape that is wrapped around America right now, and we know that we still have a lot of work to do. Frederick Douglass reminded us that if there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want an ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. But power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will; so, that’s why it’s so compelling for us to be here today.” Boyd encouraged her audience to make their voices heard in this generation as voices were made to be heard during the turbulent 60s. “And so as we leave this celebration today, I want us to leave with renewed courage, renewed vision, renewed confidence in who we are and whose we are,” said Boyd. “Leave with renewed hope that I can do all through Christ which gives me strength. We can leave with a renewed quest for freedom and justice. But we (have to) do it right now. Now is the only place we can start. Now is the perfect opportunity. Now is the time for us to get access to God, to hear from God and know what he wants us to do. Now is the time for us to do things that we have never done before if we plan to go places we’ve never been before. This is an urgent hour; so much so that what we’ve worked for, prayed for, marched for and achieved will be snatched away from us if we don’t turn back to God and let him know that we need his help to get to the next level. This is our wake-up call. It’s time for us to know that #blacklivesdomatter, #alllivesmatter, #ourrightsmatter, #ourchildrenmatter, #ourhbcusmatter and #ourcommunitiesmatter.” As Boyd’s impassioned speech gained momentum, she evoked a rallying cry from the crowd. “So, when they come after us in this generation, we’ve got to be strong, stand toe to toe and say to them …‘Bring it!’” Boyd said. The reaction to Boyd’s speech was immediate. Atlanta Fox 5 Reporter Lisa Rayam said Boyd “set the sanctuary on fire,” as she encouraged the audience to be “bold, confident and inspired as we remember and celebrate.” Zillah M. Fluker, vice president for Institutional Advancement at ASU, said the speech generated immediate buzz throughout the campus community and beyond. “The University’s social media was extremely active as many watched the live stream of Dr. Boyd’s address,” Fluker said. “We had a record number of posts, with accolades and acknowledgements coming literally from around the world and from nationally prominent people such as Roland Martin.” Those in attendance also praised Boyd’s remarks. “This woman has brought an amazing and timely message that everyone needs to embrace,” said Stephen Oyelowo, father of David Oyelowo, who portrayed Dr. King in the movie “Selma.” The younger Oyelowo was brought to tears as he told the audience, “I stand before you today as a man who has played a king.” The actor was one of several notable figures with whom Boyd shared the platform. They included Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Rwandan Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who drew a standing ovation for his work during the movement. Also recognized during the event was the large contingency of members and national executive board officers of Delta Sigma Theta Inc., as well as the presidents of Morris Brown College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University and the head of Morehouse College’s Medical School. Boyd’s address was the climactic end to a four-hour program that included tributes from a diverse group of religious, community and political representatives, as well as the ringing of bells by representatives of nearly 30 U.S. consulates in honor of Dr. King’s legacy of courage. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.