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Before parades and community service projects began across the city, residents gathered early at the Koury Convention Center for a morning of reflection, inspiration and renewed commitment to service during the City of Greensboro Human Relations Commission’s Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Memorial Breakfast.
Now in its 40th year, the breakfast carried the theme “From Words to Action: Advancing the Dream Together,” underscoring Dr. King’s call not just to be inspired by his message, but to act on it.
Greensboro Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter offered greetings on behalf of the city, framing the holiday as a moment for collective recommitment.
“Dr. King was more than a figure in the history books,” Abuzuaiter said. “He was a voice, and that voice stirred the conscience of the nation. As we dedicate this day, let us recommit ourselves to his vision — a vision of fairness, opportunity and peace. Because together, we can all walk in peace.”
The morning program featured prayer, poetry and musical selections, reinforcing a community-wide message of continuing King’s unfinished work for justice and equality.
As part of the celebration, the City’s Human Relations Commission recognized five residents with the 2026 Everyday Champions of Civil Rights Award: James Hairston, Ph.D., assistant professor at North Carolina A&T State University and youth leader; Deena Hayes-Greene, co-founder of Black Wall Street, LLC and the Racial Equity Institute; Tifanie Rudd (posthumous), former CEO of M8D 2 Rise and longtime community volunteer; Janet Ward Black (posthumous), founder of Ward Black Law and former North Carolina Bar Association president; and Justin Washington, founder and executive director of the JustOne Foundation.
The HRC first presented the Everyday Champions honor in 2023 to residents who have gone “above and beyond” to advance human rights and social justice. Award recipients are nominated through a citywide process and selected by the MLK Breakfast Planning Committee. This year’s honorees bring the total number of recipients to 15.
Keynote speaker Dr. Karrie G. Dixon, chancellor of North Carolina Central University, reminded the audience that King’s legacy demands more than admiration.
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words continue to inspire us,” Dixon said. “But inspiration alone was never his end goal. His words were meant to motivate us, to unsettle us, and to compel us to action.”
Dixon, a trailblazing higher education leader, was named NCCU’s 13th chancellor in July 2024, becoming the first woman to serve as chancellor at two UNC institutions. She previously led Elizabeth City State University and has more than 15 years of system-wide leadership experience. A North Carolina native, Dixon holds a doctorate and bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University and a master’s degree from UNC Greensboro.
Expressing gratitude for the invitation to speak, Dixon applauded Greensboro’s long-standing commitment to equity and respect.
“I applaud you, Greensboro, for your steadfast commitment to fairness, to dignity, and mutual respect,” she said. “As a chancellor, those are the values I hope to instill in all of our students. As an American, and as a proud North Carolinian, those are the values I seek to uphold in our democracy.”
Throughout her remarks, Dixon emphasized that King never asked the nation to simply revere him, but to change — to examine its laws, institutions, habits and hearts.
“This day was never meant to be a pause,” she said. “It’s supposed to be a push. A day on, not a day off.”
Dixon’s remarks repeatedly returned to the theme of collective action, particularly through education and civic engagement. She energized the room by inviting attendees to call out their HBCU alma maters, connecting school pride to the historic role students have played in advancing social change.
Referring to the A&T Four — four freshmen from North Carolina A&T State University who sparked the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins — Dixon highlighted how their quiet courage reshaped the nation.
“They asked for the kind of dignity that millions of Americans could recognize as reasonable and righteous,” she said. “Their quiet courage ignited a movement that reshaped this nation.”
Dixon also reflected on her personal connection with the late Franklin McCain, one of the A&T Four, noting his lifelong commitment to uplifting HBCUs and students of color.
“Our voice matters,” she said. “Not only do we want a seat at the table, but when we have that seat, we must use our voice. Education and the fight for freedom have always been deeply linked.”
Citing recent national studies, Dixon noted that young adults who plan to engage civically are more likely to vote, and that universities remain among the most trusted sources of information — reinforcing the role higher education plays in shaping informed, active citizens.
“At NCCU, our motto is ‘Truth and Service,’” she said. “We believe that when the truth of knowledge meets the commitment to service, transformation follows.”
Dixon challenged the community to invest in young people, calling it a shared responsibility of what King described as the “beloved community.”
“They need us,” she said. “We must advise them, activate them and advocate for them. They are our future.”
Returning to King’s enduring question — What are we doing for others? — Dixon urged attendees to see action as education, service and civic participation working together.
“We honor his legacy when we commit to knowing our history in full, sharing it honestly, and passing it on to the next generation,” she said. “Education shapes perspective. Perspective shapes action.”
She concluded with a parable about two friends, Faith and Sight, who learn that progress requires both vision and belief working together.
“Let faith guide the way and believe that through action, things can and will be better,” Dixon said. “Let this Martin Luther King Jr. Day be more than a moment of reflection. Let it be a moment of resolve — committing ourselves to advancing the dream and making a difference together.”
