An Incredible MLK, Jr. Convocation with the Brilliant Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. at Fairfield University. So Much to Process. Love Must Continue.

The 2026 convocation speaker, Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. was the real deal. Kind. Sincere. Smart. Well read. Poignant. Wise. There are talks that resonate and their are talks that will last with you for a life time. His wisdom of literature, humanities, and history would be hard to replicate, as he speaks from a place dedicated to seeking the truth and finding reasons for the irrational, especially in a nation whose racial history remains turbulent today. 

It is a nation we love, at times, and a nation that perplexes us, perturbs us, infuriates us, and reminds us that at the core, there's always been two ideals competing with one another. Freedom and democracy for all vs. freedom and democracy for a chosen few. The spiraling is maddening, and just when you think the country is finding its way to a destination of hope and possibility, a population who operates at its antithesis remind us of the uglier side of who we actually are. 

We're once again at the ugly. 

I was thrilled to see that Mr. King, 2026 Vision Award for Community Partners, was in attendance with his students and athletes, taking a break from the rigorous basketball season and, well, leading the way once again. Young people need to see what a life in books can deliver. 

I sent a photo to Chitunga and I was glad to hear he often binge-watches his lectures on You-Tube and was impressed that I had the chance to meet the scholar. I also have to shout out all the authors who taught me the importance of putting the post-it note on exaclty the right time to save the page-turning that has to occur when the line for autographs goes out the door. 

There is only one more event left...the Youth Leadership Academy on February 20th and I'm inpsired to make it the best one yet. 

Congratulations to the entire committee for bringing such a remarkable talk to Fairfield University.