FAMU graduate Rev. Darrick D. McGhee Sr., pastor, government relations executive, will serve as the keynote speaker for the university's 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation.
The annual event, which honors the life, legacy, and ideals of the civil rights leader, will be held Friday, Jan. 16, at 10:10 a.m. in Lee Hall Auditorium on campus. The convocation will be open to the public and livestreamed on the university’s YouTube channel, extending its reach to a global audience.
McGhee, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and religion from FAMU, embodies the convocation’s theme of bridging service and leadership. His career spans more than 25 years at the highest levels of Florida state government and in the pulpits of Tallahassee.
“We are honored to welcome Rev. McGhee back to his alma mater to inspire a new generation of Rattlers,” said Marva B. Johnson, J.D., president of FAMU. “His life’s work—in the public arena, the community, and the church—powerfully reflects Dr. King’s call to serve others with courage, conviction, and compassion.”
Since his graduation, McGhee has moved seamlessly between the worlds of public policy and ministry. He served in senior leadership roles under multiple Florida governors, most notably as director of Legislative Affairs in the Executive Office of Governor Rick Scott, where he was a key architect of the administration’s legislative agenda.
He now serves as chief operating officer of Johnson & Blanton, a prominent lobbying and public strategy firm, where he advises clients on government relations.
Alongside his career in the public sphere, McGhee is the founding pastor of Bible Based Church in Tallahassee, where he has led community outreach and ministry efforts for over a decade. He is also an author, podcast host, and frequent speaker on topics ranging from ethical leadership to social justice.
“Dr. King’s legacy isn’t just about what he did—it’s about how he thought,” McGhee said. “He challenged systems with love and strategic action. That same approach is needed today, whether in government, education, or the church. I’m humbled to join the FAMU family in reflecting on that charge.”
The MLK Convocation is one of the FAMU’s most cherished traditions, intended not only as a tribute but as a call to action. It encourages students, faculty, and the broader community to recommit to the principles of justice, equality, and service that defined Dr. King’s life.
McGhee’s unique background—navigating the intersections of faith, policy, and community engagement—offers a contemporary lens through which to view Dr. King’s enduring message.