Berkeley Carroll Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Community, Education, and Celebration

In the Lower School, students participated in an inspiring assembly where speakers recited excerpts from Dr. King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, reflecting on his powerful words and the impact of his mission. This year, BC also welcomed author Ada Ari as part of the celebration. A Nigerian immigrant and children’s book author, Ari shared how her own dreams were made possible through Dr. King’s work. Her visit offered a vibrant exploration of African culture, featuring lessons on geography, language, traditional clothing, dance, and music.

Middle School students took part in #HashtagLunchbag, a service initiative dedicated to spreading kindness and supporting those in need. Students worked together to prepare bagged lunches, decorating them with inspiring messages and designs based on the theme “This Is What Community Looks Like.” Their contributions embodied Dr. King’s spirit of service and commitment to social justice.

The Upper School gathered in the Sterling Place Performance Space for a series of powerful talks from faculty and administrators, who shared their own research and scholarship connected to Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement. 

Head of School Dr. Lisa Yvette Waller spoke about Dr. King’s work, civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, and her own doctoral dissertation on minister Milton A. Galamison, a key figure in the fight for school integration in New York City and the lesser acknowledged Civil Rights struggles of The North. Dr. Stephen Mak explored the civil rights movement’s impact on Japanese-American activism, highlighting the post-World War II Enemy Alien Control Program, which led to the internment of Japanese-Americans. Both speakers emphasized the importance of carefully studying our history to better understand and navigate our world today.

Additional talks featured Upper School History Teacher Dr. Madeline Lafuse, Associate Director of College Counseling Joal Chen, Upper School English Teacher Rafael Sanchez, and History Department Head Amber Thomas, who all shared their own studies on the Civil Rights Movement and how it has shaped the way they approach their work as educators.

It was a powerful time of reflection and celebration for the Berkeley Carroll community. Thank you to all the students, faculty, staff, and visitors who made these meaningful events possible.