The office of Global Diversity and Inclusive Excellence hosted an event to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The celebration was meant to recognize the changes that Dr. King contributed to society and to continue his legacy. “We want to keep the dream alive today,” said Dr. Wilma Jackson, director of the Office of Global Diversity and Inclusive Excellence.
Many talented orators spoke about the well-known historical figure including students from Pietzsch MacArthur Elementary School. Each child gave a speech paying tribute to Dr. King.
Keynote guest speaker, Dr. Japera Levine, doctor of podiatric medicine, spoke about her educational and professional journey. She credited Dr. King for giving inspiration and hope to a community and creating an impact that lasted long after his passing.
“I would not be a physician and business owner if it weren’t for MLK,” said Levine. She told about the sacrifices she made throughout medical school to achieve her goals and become a physician, surgeon and business owner.
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Keynote Speaker Award was given to Dr. Japera Levine after her speech.
Speakers
Dr. Wilma Jackson, director of the Office of Global Diversity & Inclusive Excellence
Dr. John O. Bello-Ogunu, Sr., VP Division of Global Diversity, Inclusion & Intercultural Affairs
Dr. Kenneth Evans, President of Lamar University
Xundra Ward, Staffing Manager of Human Resources
Dr. Japera N. Levine, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine in Beaumont, Texas
Jasmine Patin, President of NAACP College Chapter
Mackinzie Ward, 7th Grader at Odom Academy
Dr. Robert Wagner, Assistant VP of Human Resources
Dr. Teresa E. Simpson, chair, LU and Beaumont Independent School District Business Partnership; Clinical Instructor in Educational Leadership, Assistant to the Dean
Pietzch MacArthur Elementary Students:
Fatima Chavarria
Jose Hernandez
Elliot Sanders
Haydin Norman
Isabella Hoang
Jaydyn Mitchell
Yaharia Azua
Kalei Lewis
Many talented orators spoke about the well-known historical figure including students from Pietzsch MacArthur Elementary School. Each child gave a speech paying tribute to Dr. King.
Keynote guest speaker, Dr. Japera Levine, doctor of podiatric medicine, spoke about her educational and professional journey. She credited Dr. King for giving inspiration and hope to a community and creating an impact that lasted long after his passing.
“I would not be a physician and business owner if it weren’t for MLK,” said Levine. She told about the sacrifices she made throughout medical school to achieve her goals and become a physician, surgeon and business owner.
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Keynote Speaker Award was given to Dr. Japera Levine after her speech.
Speakers
Dr. Wilma Jackson, director of the Office of Global Diversity & Inclusive Excellence
Dr. John O. Bello-Ogunu, Sr., VP Division of Global Diversity, Inclusion & Intercultural Affairs
Dr. Kenneth Evans, President of Lamar University
Xundra Ward, Staffing Manager of Human Resources
Dr. Japera N. Levine, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine in Beaumont, Texas
Jasmine Patin, President of NAACP College Chapter
Mackinzie Ward, 7th Grader at Odom Academy
Dr. Robert Wagner, Assistant VP of Human Resources
Dr. Teresa E. Simpson, chair, LU and Beaumont Independent School District Business Partnership; Clinical Instructor in Educational Leadership, Assistant to the Dean
Pietzch MacArthur Elementary Students:
Fatima Chavarria
Jose Hernandez
Elliot Sanders
Haydin Norman
Isabella Hoang
Jaydyn Mitchell
Yaharia Azua
Kalei Lewis
