MLK Lecture Inspires Students
On Thursday, Feb. 2, Reverend Blessed Unami Sikhosana delivered a motivational lecture in the BTC Auditorium based on Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideas about success and dream fulfillment. Sikhosana talked about her life’s journey from a poverty-stricken childhood in Zimbabwe to a college education and career success, the need to take responsibility for one’s own dreams, and the importance of an education.
“Today, I do not want to be another adult who stands up to lecture you like kids, because you are not kids. I stopped by today just to help you through,” she said. Sikhosana’s lecture was well-received by students, many of whom found her story to be relatable and her words to be encouraging. “She was an inspiration to me today because these were some personal things that I was dealing with about school, so it was very inspiring to hear,” said Sarah Hines, freshman in the EOC’s College Preparation program.
Sikhosana’s lecture was directed at the entire next generation of college students, particularly African-Americans. She encouraged students to stay in school and work hard to achieve their goals. “Don’t drop out of school. Hudson Valley is one of the best colleges in America…and I can assure you this, one of the leaders, our president of America, will come out from this school,” said Sikhosana. Sikhosana listed Martin Luther King Jr. as one of her greatest inspirations. Her lecture was based on his speech, titled “What is Your Life’s Blueprint,” directed at a group of students in Oct. 1967, six months prior to his assassination.
Throughout her lecture, Sikhosana talked about the importance of getting an education and setting goals for one’s life based on dreams. She stressed that one must never give up hope and always be determined to work hard for success, even in the face of obstacles and negativity. “Remember, the people around you, they can make or break you…don’t allow anyone to break you down into small little particles,” Sikhosana said. She also discussed how friends and family can sometimes become sources of discouragement and demotivation instead of encouragement and motivation. She mentioned people in her own life that disheartened her. She said, “The door of destruction could be your best friend, that door of destruction could be your mama, could be your daddy, could be your boyfriend. Sometimes, you’ve got to get rid of your friends who are negative…cut them off. They are not going to help you achieve.”
Sikhosana grew up in Zimbabwe and was raised by her grandmother, who sold fruit to earn money for her grandchildren’s education. As a child Sikhosana dealt with poverty and a lack of opportunities, but her grandmother always encouraged her to educate herself. In her lecture, she did not just stress the importance of education, but also told her audience to set out to achieve actual goals. “Don’t just come to school because you come to school. Come to school for a purpose, come to school for a reason,” she said. In addition to encouraging students to become whoever they want to become, Sikhosana also emphasized doing one’s best at every little thing.
She said, “When you set out to do something, set out to do a good job. If you become a doctor, do the best, if youbecome a lawyer, do the best, [and] if you’re going to be the trash man, be the best trash man.” Sikhosana’s speech was an encouragement for students. Dywana Cunningham, Individual Studies freshman, said, “It…gave me even more inspiration to do what I do every day. Sometimes I get up and I don’t want to do nothing at all. I got to keep going until I get to my goal.” Sikhosana repeatedly told students to plan out their lives, pursue their goals, and make each day and every moment count. “When you get up in the morning, get up and hit the ground. Let the ground know you are up. Be somebody,” said Sikhosana.