In 1964 Martin Luther King Jr. entitled his autobiography Why We Can’t Wait and even today that title rings true. “For me, singing about Martin Luther King and my faith makes me feel like a stronger person and with more connection towards my community and my faith, especially on Martin Luther King Day,” said senior Zarinaha Russell, who led Guilford’s College Meeting for Worship the day before the holiday.

Russell has always shared a special connection with the holiday. “Even when I was younger, my grandfather would sit me on his knee in front of the fireplace and tell me stories about Martin Luther King and how special he was to the world.”

Russell is also the director of Guilford’s Gospel Choir and the holiday inspires her to share her faith and her love of singing with the general community by performing at College Meeting for Worship.

However, for junior Blair Taylor her experiences with the holiday are much more recent. “I had never formally celebrated Martin Luther King Day until I came to Guilford and taking part in the events on campus has been quite an exciting and interesting experience.”