Social Justice Advocate and Entrepreneur Jonathan L.
Jackson, son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson and business professor at Chicago State
University delivered the keynote address during the event. While speaking,
Jackson challenged students and others in attendance to continue FAMU’s
tradition of standing up to injustices everywhere.
“You’re going to have to stand up repeatedly over and over.
You’re going to have to continue as Rattlers to strike back again. Racism has
not been eradicated,” Jackson said.
While presenting the occasion during the program, Jessika Ward, a senior journalism major spoke of the importance of defending Dr. King’s dream.
“Today we gather to remind one another that we’ve got work
to do,” Ward said. “We’ve got more steps to take and more stairs to climb,
because in one way or another, we are all defenders of Dr. King’s dream,” she
added.
Jackson also supports his father’s work as a national
spokesman for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. During his speech, Jackson shared how
he overcame challenges with the help of speech therapy through ninth grade and
eventually became a public speaker. He encouraged FAMU students to not allow
obstacles they encounter prevent them from reaching their fullest potential in
life.
“I want to see you have a vision of being right here one
day. You don’t know where God is going to move you to,” he said.
A highlight of the convocation was a surprise presentation
to Interim President Larry Robinson, in honor of Robinson’s 20th
Anniversary of service to FAMU. Interim Provost Rodner Wright presented an
orange tree to Robinson. The tree will be planted on campus in his honor as a
legacy to his commitment to FAMU and ongoing service to America’s youth.
Prior to making the presentation, Wright described Robinson
as a tireless leader who has played a key role in FAMU’s current status as a
premiere historically black university in America.
“Dr. Robinson is a servant leader for which there is no
comparison. As Rattlers and members of the local community, we can all take
pride in having such a talented and visionary leader in our midst,” Wright
said.