Xavery Hopkins, MPH, MBA
Staff Winner- Senior Director of Access, Opportunity, and Community Engagement; Darla Moore School of Business
The University of South Carolina honors the life of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
In January 1983, the USC Black Alumni Caucus sponsored the first university program. The group continued to sponsor the event, held in Rutledge Chapel, until 1986. In 1986, the program was expanded and moved to the Russell House Ballroom featuring King’s daughter, Yolanda King, as keynote speaker. In 1999, then-President John M. Palms canceled classes and declared the day a university-wide day of service, and that tradition continues today.
MLK Commemorative Breakfast
Friday, Jan. 15, 2027, 7:30 - 9 a.m.
Location: Russell House Ballroom, 1400 Greene St, Columbia, SC 29208
Admission: Free and open to the public
Join us for an inspiring morning of reflection and celebration at the annual MLK Commemorative Breakfast. This special event honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with music, an empowering keynote address, and the presentation of the university's MLK Social Justice Awards, recognizing those who have made a lasting impact on our community. While the event is free and open to all, advance registration is required to secure your spot.
Space is limited. Please register by January 11th.
Free parking will be available in the Bull Street Garage. Enter at gate 3 (visitor
entrance).
Questions may be directed to the Office of Access and Opportunity at MLKBreakfastUSC@sc.edu or call 803-576-7666.
Register Below
Previous Social Justice Award Winners
Shalaia Myers
Student Winner- Senior majoring in Psychology and African American Studies; Volunteer, Student Advisory Board and Book Fair Fund Founder
Lila Anna Sauls, EdD, HDFP
Community Partner Winner- President and CEO; Homeless No More
Kimberly Tena, MA
Student Winner- Psychology doctoral student; Designer of community-based and disability-affirming systems
Betty L. Wilson, PhD
Faculty Winner- Assistant Professor and Researcher; College of Social Work
Althea D. Counts, MEd
Staff Winner- Director; TRIO Programs
Devin Randolph, PhD
Faculty Winner- Clinical Assistant Professor; College of Education
Christina Plakas
Student Winner- Criminology and Criminal Justice doctoral student; Creator of Alvin S. Glenn career-readiness program
Norah Dixon
Student Winner- Senior majoring in History and Mass Communication; Creator of Scholar Recruitment student advisory committee
Julia Upton
Student Winner- Senior majoring in Early Childhood Education; Volunteer and youth mentor
Drs. Eliza Braden, Meir Muller, and Kamania Wynter-Hoyte
Faculty Winner Team- Associate Professors; Founders of the Urban Education Cohort, the Local School Collective, and REACH
Kendall Deas
Faculty Winner- Postdoctoral Fellow and Researcher; College of Arts and Sciences
Courtney McLain
Student Winner- Junior majoring in broadcast journalism; Creator of Spartanburg Ambassadors for Change voting initiative
Susi Long, PhD
Faculty Winner- Professor of Early Childhood Education; College of Education
Aparna Polavarapu, JD, LLM, MA
Faculty Winner- Professor of Law; Founder of SC Restorative Justice Initiative
Nicole A. Cooke, PhD
Faculty Winner- Augusta Baker Endowed Chair and Professor; College of Information and Communications
Toby S. Jenkins-Henry, PhD
Faculty Winner- Professor and Associate Provost for Faculty Development; College of Education
Jay Urich
Student Winner- Undergraduate Student-Athlete; Founder of Nonprofit “Original Design”
Faculty Winner - Daniella Cook, Ph. D.
Associate Professor
College of Education
Faculty Winner - Spencer Platt, Ph. D.
Associate Professor
College of Education
Staff Winner - Aisha Haynes
Assistant Director
Center for Teaching Excellence
Student Winner - Kyanna Samuel
Undergraduate student
majoring in early childhood education
Faculty Winner - Dr. Rajeev Bais
Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
School of Medicine
Director, Carolina Survivor Clinic
Staff Winner - Maureen Grewe
Director of Student Conduct
Department of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity
Student Winner - Chelsea Jimenez
Undergraduate student
Senior majoring in early childhood education
Student Winner - Lyric Swinton
Undergraduate student
Junior majoring in sport and entertainment management
Faculty Winner - Kenneth Campbell, M.S., Ph.D.
Associate professor
School of Journalism and Mass Communications
Faculty Winner - Michele Myers, M.S., Ed.S., Ph.D.
Clinical Associate Professor
College of Education
Staff Winner - Sarah Keeling, M.Ed., Ph.D.
Student Services Manager
School of Library and Information Science
Student Winner - Dizha Green
Undergraduate student
Senior majoring in early childhood education