Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) students and employees walked in the Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. Holiday Parade hosted Jan. 20 in downtown Oklahoma City. Thousands of attendees lined the streets to take part in the third largest MLK Jr. Parade in the United States. This year’s theme was “40 Years Better Together,†and marked the 40th year of MLK Jr. Holiday Coalition’s involvement in the parade.
“We think our [OCCC] participation in the MLK, Jr. Day parade is very important,†said Randy Cassimus, director of Student Engagement and Alumni Relations at OCCC. “We want our students to understand that because of Dr. King, they are growing up in a world which, though still imperfect, does offer them significantly more freedoms and possibilities than their grandparents or even their parents may have had.â€
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a social activist and pastor who led the civil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. Through non-violent protests, King played a key role in fighting racial inequality and economic injustice. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, and is remembered on the third Monday of every January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“It was because of the vision and sacrifices of Dr. King that societal injustices were highlighted and rectified,†said Cassimus. “We [OCCC] were there to celebrate the accomplishments resulting from one man’s great dream and to remember the sacrifices required for that progress.â€
From events on campus to community service, OCCC’s Student Life creates transformative opportunities that engage students with one another and create personal growth.
To check out the many opportunities and experiences Student Life offers, visit https://www.occc.edu/studentlife.
