The Living Legacy Awards are awarded to an undergraduate student, graduate student, staff or faculty member, or student organization that embodies the spirit of King's work and the legacy he left for all of us.
"Inscribed on the north wall of the MLK statue in D.C. is a quote from his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech that reads 'I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education, and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits,'" said Gabriel Dadi, associate professor and advisor for UK NSBE.
The UK NSBE chapter provides leadership, mentoring and service opportunities for UK students and central Kentucky communities.
"As a chapter, we love to give back to the community and teach others the importance of an education," said Jayla McCoy, a senior studying mechanical engineering and president of UK NSBE. "Through our MetroCATS program, we tutor our youth in STEM, teaching them how to code and hosting our own Science Fair with a local high school. In addition, we give back to the community through volunteering and have professional development events for our members. NSBE is always trying to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community!"
"In these and many other initiatives, UK NSBE members share the same audacity as Dr. King, improving and impacting the community through nutrition, education and service. Thus, it was appropriately fitting and well deserved to honor the incredible student leaders of the UK NSBE Chapter with the Community Impact award at the MLK Legacy Luncheon," said Dadi.