The Charger Blog

'Dr. King Inspires Me Every Day to Speak My Truth'

I am grateful for the opportunities my classmates and I had to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy as part of the University’s weeklong MLK Celebration. I am proud to honor his vision and the power it has to continue to change the world for the better.

February 11, 2022

By Saniyah J. Brinney '23

Students in the University’s Bucknall Theater as part of the weeklong MLK Celebration.
Students take part in an event in the University’s Bucknall Theater as part of the weeklong MLK Celebration.
Saniyah J. Brinney '23
Saniyah J. Brinney '23

Last month, the University, with the help of Dean Rowe-Allen and Undergraduate Student Government Association vice president of diversity & inclusion Adrielys Gomez ’22 gave students University-wide a beloved and memorable opportunity to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Within the weeklong events in memory of Dr. King, we had important discussions about race, a ceremony to honor the students, staff, and faculty on campus who make a difference within our University community, a movie night, and much more!

Honoring Dr. King is very important and needed because he influenced and changed the world for the better in so many ways. Because of the dedicated and hard work of Dr. King, I’m able to stand proud at my University in the present day. Dr. King inspires me every day to speak my truth and to be a voice for the voiceless.

Saniyah J. Brinney raising Black Lives Matter flag
Saniyah J. Brinney ’23 at the University’s recent Black Lives Matter Flag Raising event.

Dr. King spent most of his life fighting for equal rights and change. Through this, integration became legalized and normalized in America. Diversity is such a beautiful thing because it’s important to be familiar with and educated on different races, religions, and much more, which was what Dr. King was trying to achieve and prove with his fight for equality.

Everyone is different, and that’s beautiful. Differences open space for society to be open and inclusive. In 2022, the world is even more diverse, including in the workplace and in education, and it’s safe to say that Dr. King’s dream is coming to life.


Saniyah J. Brinney '23, a political science major at the University, serves as vice president of the University’s Black Student Union and is a member of the Undergraduate Student Government Association’s Conduct Council.

Recent News

Charger 360

Charger 360 - Season 4, Episode 15: Jess Scibek and Emilio Sanchez ’26 M.S.

Jess Scibek, director of campus recreation, discusses her journey to the University, her background in corporate fitness, and transitioning to a university setting, as well as her passion for helping people stay well and the benefits of the programs available through the David A. Beckerman Recreation Center. Emilio Sanchez ’26, a native of Mexico, a graduate student in sport management, and a graduate assistant with ChargerREC, shared his background living across the globe in China, Singapore, Spain, and the U.S. Jess talked about her family’s passion for New Haven apizza, and Emilio gave an inside look at his experiences in and out of the classroom, including an upcoming sales competition he’ll be part of. “The opportunities that are being offered at this University is something that I have never experienced,” said Emilio.