KINGSTON, R.I.—Feb. 6, 2025—The University’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Luncheon, presented by the Multicultural Student Services Center and cosponsored by the URI Chaplains Association in collaboration with the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, drew community members from across campus to reflect on the life and teachings of Dr. King.

This year’s keynote speaker, Rev. J. Timothy Quainoo ’12, returned to campus to discuss King’s legacy and how his teachings can be applied today. Quainoo is the founder of URI’s multicultural student organization Sankofa, one of the largest African diasporic organizations on campus.

URI alumnus AGonza ’16 returned to campus to share “No Room 4 Hate in My Golden Heart” with community members. The painting is intended to reflect Black History Month and to focus on our shared humanity, as well as Dr. King’s message on the power of love to overcome hate. Attendees were invited to sign the piece to commemorate coming together in unity.

Students Zahra Kahn and Skyla Anderson, and communications professor Deidre Morrison, were also honored with awards for their significant peace work contributions to the URI community.