When Bettie Mae Fikes stepped to the microphone as keynote speaker of this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner, she smiled at the photograph of the late Congressman John Lewis, a mentor and friend, displayed on the wall. And then she raised her voice in song.
Known as the “Voice of Selma,” Fikes delivered a stirring account of her eye-witness experiences as a Freedom Rider during the Civil Rights Movement. Reflecting on the parallels between current events and those tumultuous days of the 1960s, she reminded the audience about the “good trouble” that Lewis preached as a disciple of Dr. King.
“It’s emotional for me today because I’m looking at the world and wondering what are we going to do, which way are we going to go, and how can we get in some good trouble,” Fikes said.
“I’m asking each and every one of you to contribute,” she added. “How many of you are ready to march today?”
The annual MLK dinner was held on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics. The evening was sponsored by the Center for Intercultural Learning and Inclusion, Campus Ministry, and the Multicultural Student Coalition.
In addition to Fikes, the dinner featured poetry readings and personal reflections by several students before the prestigious social justice awards were bestowed on Paige Potts ’27 and Professor Vicky DiBona.
First, Stephanie Fernandez, Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Officer, made a surprise announcement, unveiling a new name for the annual honor: The President Joseph Favazza and Dr. Paddy Favazza Social Justice Award.
“Together, Joe and Paddy have modeled what it means to lead with integrity, humility, and moral conviction,” Fernandez said. “Their leadership reminds us that justice is built through relationships, that inclusion requires attention, and that change often begins with one person willing to ask a better question and be in conversation with others.”
The student award to Potts, the president of Women of Color, was introduced by classmate Brooke Henriques ’27. In her remarks, Henriques reflected on what an honor she felt in being able to celebrate her friend.
“I have seen her dedication to developing social change in her everyday life. She is not afraid to advocate for what’s right, lead with integrity and use her voice to drive change. Her commitment to social justice is personal,” Henriques said.
The faculty award was announced by Dr. Ian Durham, who called DiBona, the faculty advisor to the Men of Color, “one of my favorite people.”
“I’ve witnessed her intense dedication to supporting students, particularly those in the first-generation, BIPOC, neurodiverse, and LGBTQ+ communities,” he said. “To say that this person is tireless would be an understatement.”
This year’s theme for the MLK Dinner was “Beloved Community Begins With Us.” Duke Addy ’26 was the emcee for the evening and Fr. Francis McCarty ’10 offered a blessing prior to the dinner.
Across the country, annual MLK dinners have been inspired by the planned visit by Dr. King to a local pastor on April 4, 1968 for a meal that never happened.