Lift every voice and sing,
‘Til earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty.

— Lift Every Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson, J. Rosamond Johnson

GAMBIER — The Rev. Dr. Judy A. Alston wants you to stay courageous.

Alston’s speech at Monday’s 22nd annual MLK Jr. Celebration Breakfast at Kenyon College centered on courage, justice, and equality — themes embodied by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles,” Alston said, quoting King. “Dr. King’s voice reminds us that courage is not the absence of fear, but the determination to act in spite of being scared.”

Alston is a professor and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership at Miami (Ohio) University.

She is also a speaker and author of “Herstories: Leading with the Lessons of the Lives of Black Women Activists,” as well as the co-editor of “Purveyors of Change: School Leaders of Color Share Narratives of Student, School, and Community Success” and “The Undivided Life: Faculty of Color Bringing Our Whole Selves to the Academy,” according to Kenyon College’s bio on Alston.

King was a monumental figure in the 1960s Civil Rights movement, often referred to as the “drum major for justice.”

As a prominent leader in several resistance campaigns, King delivered the renowned “I Have a Dream” speech.

Alston posed a poignant question to the audience: What does courage look like today?

“It means speaking out against injustice when we see it,” Alston said. “Even when — and especially when — our voices tremble.

“It means standing in solidarity with those who are marginalized and oppressed, even when it feels uncomfortable.”

Alston reflected on King’s belief in love as a transformative force against injustice.

“Love is the greatest force in the universe,” she said. “It is the heartbeat of the moral cosmos. The life we live is grounded in love.”

Finally, Alston challenged the audience to consider their “why” for advocacy.

“Whether through acts of kindness, acts of advocacy, or activism, we can all be participants in this tapestry of change,” Alston said. “As we move forward, we must carry Dr. King’s vision in our hearts.

“We must strive to be change-makers.”