Knox County community celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy at annual breakfast

Bishop Ronald C. Todd speaks to the Knox County community during Monday’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Breakfast.

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — The Knox County community gathered Monday morning at Foster Hall in Ariel Arena on the Mount Vernon Nazarene University campus for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Breakfast. The event continues a tradition of more than 20 years that brings together neighbors, churches, schools, and organizations in celebration of unity and shared purpose.

The breakfast — sponsored by Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Kenyon College and the MLK Legacy Committee — featured Bishop Ronald Todd, representing the Ohio Department of Development and the Office of Governor Mike DeWine, as the keynote speaker. His address centered on this year’s theme, “The Audacity to Believe.”

The program opened with remarks from Rev. Tavaris Taylor, MVNU’s Special Assistant to the President and Chief Ethics Officer. He emphasized the partnership between MVNU, Kenyon College, and the community and the commitment to advancing the values of unity and service.

“Mount Vernon is a unique town — a unique expression — where unity is placed as a priority in the middle of difference, and that reflects every year when we come together from different sides of town, different beliefs, different expressions, and we come together under the banner of unity,” Rev. Taylor said “So with that in mind, let us sit in unity. We have plenty of time for difference. … It takes a lot more work for peace.”

Guests heard musical selections from MVNU freshman Samuel Dusek (cello) and from Collegians Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Robert Tocheff. Graduate student Josiah Munro welcomed all in attendance; and special remarks were presented from Mount Vernon Mayor Dr. Matthew Starr; Gambier Mayor Mr. Leeman Kessler; Kenyon President Dr. Julie Kornfeld; and MVNU President Carson Castleman, who emphasized the importance of the gathering as both a remembrance of King’s legacy and a renewed call to unity.

“This morning is not only about remembrance, but also about renewal,” Dr. Castleman said. “It’s about renewing our commitment as people of dignity and people of justice and people of service. Our theme this year is ‘The Audacity to Believe.’ Dr. King modeled this belief — a belief that change is possible, that communities can heal, and that love truly can shape his public life. Is too strong of a burden to carry? It is my hope and prayer that in our world, we would step with love because hate truly is too big of a burden to carry.

“At Mount Vernon Nazarene University, we believe that every person is created in the image of God with dignity and worth. Dr. King believed it, and we will stand with it. That conviction that we have shapes how we educate, how we serve, and how we partner with our community. We see this preface as a part of a shared calling.”

In his remarks, Bishop Todd connected King’s vision of faith and service to economic development and community empowerment. He challenged attendees with three key points: Believe that God can use you where you are, believe that faith outlasts fear, and believe that service is the pathway to greatness.

“Dr. King was not just a dreamer. He was a believer,” Todd told attendees. “He had the holy audacity to believe — through threats, through hate, through jail cells­ — and he still kept walking.”

“Vision is belief put into action,” Todd continued, noting that Knox County has people who believe — students who believe, entrepreneurs who believe, workers who believe. “Every new business starts with, first, belief. Every job created starts with belief. Every family buys a home starting with belief.”

The breakfast remains a signature event for Knox County, underscoring the community’s dedication to the values of dignity, justice, and service that Dr. King championed. Todd closed his message with a declaration of faith and hope for the future.

“I believe we will see more opportunity. I believe we will see more unity. I believe we will see more young people walking in purpose.”

Photos from the event are available at flickr.com/mvnumarketing/albums/.