Honoring a Legacy of Service and Civic Engagement

Bowie State University community members gathered Feb. 5, 2026, in the Student Center Ballroom for a panel discussion luncheon honoring the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., reflecting on his leadership and enduring commitment to service. 

Organized by Dr. Keadrick Peters, coordinator of Multicultural Programs and Services, the event was held in partnership with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.’s Eta Zeta chapter and the Prince George’s County Executive Board. The program invited students, faculty and community leaders to examine what service looks like today and how Dr. King’s vision continues to shape civic engagement. 

Dr. Peters opened the discussion with a quote from King that set the tone for the afternoon. 

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity,” he said. 

The panel featured Bowie State student Jordan Chadwick, a political affairs student leader; Cristophoros Beck, assessment coordinator in the Department of Health Sciences; and Dr. Vincent Agubokwu and Suzanne Williams, both members of the Office of the County Executive for Prince George’s County. The discussion was moderated by Arnold Austin, president of Alpha Phi Alpha’s Eta Zeta chapter, with support from Peters. 

Panelists reflected on King’s life and the responsibility of carrying his work forward. They agreed that while progress has been made since the civil rights movement, meaningful work remains, particularly in mentorship, civic participation and strengthening community bonds. Several emphasized that service begins with recognizing shared humanity and choosing collective advancement over individual gain. 

Austin later invited audience participation, sparking thoughtful dialogue. Kevin Glenn Jr., a junior business administration major, reflected on what he sees as a shift in social cohesion. 

“I love history, and during the civil rights era it seemed that there was more of a connection because everyone was experiencing the same thing,” Glenn said. “Unfortunately, now it seems that everyone is looking at their own problems and thinks they’re the only ones going through that situation. We’ve become individualistic as a culture.” 

The program concluded with remarks from Dawn Collins, co-creator of the 2nd Lieutenant Richard Collins III Foundation and a supporter of the BSU-MD Social Justice Alliance. Collins shared a video honoring her son’s life and his commitment to service, noting his aspiration to rise to the highest ranks of the military to lead and serve with integrity. 

She challenged attendees to see community building as an active responsibility. 

“Your voice matters,” Collins said. “We need to move from the ‘I’ to the ‘we’ and the collective. That’s how we get ahead.” 

The luncheon served not only as a remembrance of Dr. King’s legacy, but also as a call to action, reminding attendees that the work of justice and service continues in classrooms, boardrooms and neighborhoods alike.