Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
The Fierce Urgency Of Now: 36 Years of Honoring Dr. King at Columbus State
Please join Columbus State students, faculty, and staff, as we come together to honor the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King called for each generation to be willing to enlighten, encourage, and empower the next generation and we are proud to champion the powerful messages of Dr. King.
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 | 10 a.m. to noon
Center for Workforce Development (WD), 4th floor ballroom
315 Cleveland Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Keynote Speaker
Michael Young, Lead Pastor, City of Grace Church
Michael Young is a charismatic leader, visionary, community activist, and entrepreneur who serves as the Lead Pastor of City of Grace Church in Columbus, OH. Truly he is a lover of Jesus and a lover of people. Michael’s mission in life is to help others discover their God given purpose by leading them to an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ. His ministry has been featured on the Trinity Broadcast Network, The Word Network, and various other media outlets.
As much as he believes in the power of preaching, Michael firmly believes the only thing better than preaching the gospel is practicing it. As a result, outside the pulpit he has dedicated much of his life to serving, empowering, and developing his community. For years Michael led an organization that mentored hundreds of inner-city children across the state of Ohio. He serves on the Columbus Police Department Chief's advisory board, Mid-Ohio Food Collective board, as well as several nonprofit organizations boards that focus on empowering the next generation.
Michael has a burden for race reconciliation. As a result, he has worked on the forefront of the social justice movement within Central Ohio. By leading historical marches, hosting several citywide townhall meetings to bring unity and reconciliation among police, politicians, pastors, and the people of Columbus. He has also lended his voice to push for policy changes that bring equity to our community. Michael was selected to be the keynote speaker for the first ever black history month celebration hosted by Columbus City Council within City Hall in the 200+ year history of Columbus. He was selected by Radio One as a "Future History Maker" and Sankofa Leadership Committee as an "Emerging Leader."
The Lord has also given Michael favor in corporate America where he is a sought-after motivational speaker who challenges his audiences to pursue personal and professional excellence. He is a graduate of the University of Akron where he attended on a football scholarship.
Musical Performance
Anthony SaxsonBorn in Columbus, Ohio, Anthony was always surrounded by music. His first calling to music was through his family Church, founded by his grandfather Rev. William E. Binford, who was revered for his powerful singing and organ playing. Rev. Binford passed down this powerful musical legacy to his sons Kai and Kente Binford, where Anthony was first encouraged to play the saxophone in church. There, he connected to the spiritual roots of music.
Awards
Nominations for Barbara Smith-Allen and the Darius Torrence Visionary Columbus State Dreamer Awards
Every year in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the college honors one staff
member and one student for their leadership and commitment to creating a diverse campus
culture. Originally called The Visionary Dreamer Award, the honor was renamed in recent
years to reflect two members of our community who exemplified the important work of
Dr. King, Barbara Smith-Allen and Darius Torrence.
Nominees must make significant and lasting contributions to continue to create an environment where diversity is honored and respected on campus and within the broader community. Nominations should describe how the individual or group accomplished one or more of the following:
- Initiate or engage in activities that positively impact the educational, social, economic, or political life of the community.
- Contribute to the achievement of self-determination by individuals or groups.
- Display creativity, determination, and perseverance in achieving human and civil rights goals.
- Establish an ongoing program or institution for the improvement of human relations and civil rights.
- Exemplify the nonviolent philosophy of Martin Luther King, Jr., and other nonviolent activists in the quest for improved human relations and civil rights.
Darius Torrence VISIONARY DREAMER AWARD NOMINATION (STUDENT)
Barbara Smith-Allen Visionary Dreamer Award (employee)
2026 Napoleon Bell Sr. Award Nomination
This award is presented annually to one Columbus State employee and one Columbus State
student who demonstrates ambition, persistence, integrity, service, and support of
Columbus State values – qualities embodied by the award's namesake.
The Bell Award was created in honor of Napoleon Arthur Bell Sr., a prestigious attorney,
and a giving community leader, who also served as Chairman of the Board at Columbus
State from 1992-1994 and was a Trustee for many years.
The 2026 Bell Award recipients will be publicly recognized at Columbus State's 36th
Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration by the Bell family and will receive
a physical award that commemorates this honor.
Napoleon Bell Sr. Award Nomination
Sign Up To Serve
“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”
To celebrate and honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service, the Columbus State Community College MLK Day Planning Committee is excited to host the annual MLK Day of Service on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026! More information is available about specific service site opportunities at the link below.
There will be a mix of both on-campus and off-campus service opportunities to accommodate
schedules and availability on this regularly scheduled college workday.
MLK Day of Service page
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