“Show Love:” 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast & Parade Published February 6, 2025

Rose State College (RSC) students and staff honored Dr. Martin Luther King by participating in several events in Midwest City and Oklahoma City over the weekend. Initially scheduled for January 20, organizers postponed the events to February 1 due to inclement weather. The rescheduled events served as a catalyst for launching Black History Month celebrations in Midwest City and Oklahoma City. 

“The MLK Prayer Breakfast was an amazing opportunity to meet several important people in our community and to hear a great message,” said Ylleana Berryhill, President of the Rose State College Black Student Association (BSA). 

The day started with the RSC BSA executive officers attending the 28^th Annual Midwest City Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast. The theme was “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence 365.” The keynote speaker was the distinguished Dr. Jason Banister, an Army veteran and accomplished businessman raised in Del City and a Rose State College graduate. Dr. Banister shared a heartfelt message with attendees about positively impacting our local communities. 

Photo Caption: Rose State College Black Student Association executive officers with Dr. Monique Bruner and keynote speaker Dr. Jason Banister.

From the breakfast, RSC students, faculty, and staff members traveled to Oklahoma City to participate in the 45^th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. parade. RSC students decorated a truck and carried signs fitting the theme, “Show Love.” The RSC Campus Resource Center provided over 300 children’s activity books for RSC students to pass out to the crowd, along with Black History Month stickers. Smiling children happily accepted the stickers and flipped through the books, learning about the legacy of Dr. King. 

“The parade itself was exciting,” Berryhill said. “I loved waving at the people on the sidewalk, especially the children because they were excited about the parade."

Photo Caption: RSC BSA President Ylleana Berryhill (Left) is carrying a Rose State College flag and waving to people in the crowd during the 45th Annual MLK Parade.

Rowdy the Raider, RSC’s mascot, even made a special appearance in the parade, waving to families and posing for pictures. 

The MLK parade saw close to two hundred entries with participants walking together from all backgrounds, including local public schools, local businesses, and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. This sense of unity was Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream.

Photo Caption: Rose State College students and staff pictured with Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt.

“We’re so proud of our students who participated in the events celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy,” said RSC Vice President for Campus Resource Center Dr. Monique Bruner. “The students were able to meet many community members, make valuable connections, and see our community come together as one.” 

The RSC Campus Resource Center provides resources for community members through the Raider Necessities Food Pantry, Raider Rack Clothing Closet, Campus Resource Clubs, mentorship opportunities, and more. For more information, visit Campus Resource Center.