Rhodes Scholar and environmental justice activist Wanjiku \u201cWawa\u201d Gatheru helped kick off Colgate\u2019s 17th annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Week on Jan. 23 with a keynote address in the Colgate Memorial Chapel.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gatheru, the founder of Black Girl Environmentalist (BGE), talked about the ways climate crises can disproportionately impact marginalized communities and urged the audience to recognize that equity and sustainability are \u201cdeeply connected.\u201d Gatheru also discussed BGE\u2019s efforts to bring more diversity to climate activism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cClimate communication needs a facelift,\u201d she said. \u201cThe real question is: are we communicating in ways that show people the urgency of the matter, especially informing about issues close to their lives?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The MLK Week Celebration continued with events designed to engage the Colgate community in meaningful dialogue and action, including an interfaith dinner and a Sense of Belonging Listening Session, a special Jummah service focused on King\u2019s legacy, and mindfulness sessions to honor his teachings on peace and justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During a Day of Service on Jan. 27, volunteers worked on local service projects to honor King\u2019s vision of community action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To conclude the week, the ALANA Cultural Center hosted the fourth annual Social Justice Summit, facilitated by student leaders from the New York Six Liberal Arts Consortium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe 2025 MLK Celebration is all about action and impact,\u201d said Esther Rosbrook, director of the ALANA Cultural Center. \u201cWith sustainability at the heart of our 10-day series, together we are shaping equitable communities and fostering sustainable environments \u2014 not just for today but for our future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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