This year, Vanderbilt University’s MLK Day Commemorative Series brought powerful voices of the past, present and future together to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Through a blend of inspiration and action, the campus community celebrated not just King’s memory, but the ongoing work of building leadership and opportunity for all.
Legacy Embodied: Cheryl McKissack Daniel’s keynote address
On Jan. 15, the series kicked off with a Q&A session with Cheryl McKissack Daniel, board president of McKissack & McKissack, whose family’s construction legacy spans more than a century. Moderated by Associate Provost for Academic Opportunity Jeremi London, the two discussed the book she co-authored with Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Nick Chiles, The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers. During the event, she shared her personal journey as a Black woman leading one of the nation’s oldest minority-owned businesses. Her remarks traced her roots in Nashville, the enduring influence of her family and the responsibility of preserving Black history and legacy.
“The McKissack family stands as a mirror and a beacon: a mirror because it demonstrates and shows and reflects the difficulty that Black professionals have had to deal with over the years. But it is a beacon because it shows what can happen when perseverance meets purpose,” McKissack Daniel said. “Black excellence has always been there, whether you noticed it or not. Black excellence has always been here, and we’re not going anywhere.”
She emphasized the importance of representation, the power of intentional legacy-building and the need for policies supporting all people. She encouraged students to embrace challenges, invest in self-care and recognize the value of everyday actions in shaping the future. Her stories of resilience and achievement, ranging from disaster recovery efforts to national infrastructure projects, offered a blueprint and a call to action for the next generation of leaders.
Marching Forward: Vanderbilt participates in annual MLK Day March
On Jan. 19, 80 Vanderbilt students, staff and faculty braved the cold to attend the 41st Nashville MLK March and Convocation. The community march left from Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church and ended at Tennessee State University’s Gentry Center, where participants engaged in a convocation with speakers Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and State Sen. London Lamar.
A Living Legacy
By reflecting on the past and stepping boldly into the future, the Vanderbilt community builds a legacy of leadership, compassion and change—one story, one step and one act of service and kindness at a time.
The university’s annual MLK Day of Service, which was planned for Saturday, Jan. 24, was postponed due to the severe weather. It will be rescheduled for later this spring, and more information about the opportunity will be shared by the Student Organizations, Leadership and Service team.
