半岛体育 has partnered with to create and amplify stories of inspiration that advocate for young people across the country to have access to arts and cultural experiences. The following article is written by the team at and adapted from their online publication Inspired.
At NYU, the MLK Scholars Program is more than just a scholarship鈥攊t鈥檚 a powerful platform for students to connect their academic interests to meaningful social change, guided by the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through seminars, travel experiences, and community dialogue, scholars gain both the historical context and the real-world tools to become the kind of leaders who serve, uplift, and build bridges across differences.
鈥淲e embed Dr. King鈥檚 philosophy of a 鈥榣ove-centered way of thinking, speaking, acting, and engaging鈥� into every aspect of the program,鈥� explains Harmony D. Osei, Director of the MLK Scholars Program. 鈥淥ur goal is to help students see that leadership isn鈥檛 about personal recognition鈥攊t鈥檚 about being a thoughtful, compassionate force for collective transformation.鈥�
A Program Shaped by Student Voices
This holistic approach to leadership development has evolved over time, shaped directly by students鈥� voices. Scholars play an active role in designing programming that reflects the social issues that matter most to them鈥攚hether that鈥檚 criminal justice reform, environmental sustainability, or workplace inequities. This year, the program also sponsored a special event on Indigenous and diasporic food-ways for NYU鈥檚 20th Annual MLK Week, showing how culture, community, and justice are deeply intertwined.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The program鈥檚 emphasis on experiential learning is one of its greatest strengths. Scholars don鈥檛 just read about social movements鈥攖hey visit the places where history happened and meet the people continuing that work today. Domestic and international travel colloquia have taken students from civil rights landmarks in Alabama to community organizations in Accra, expanding their understanding of activism across borders.
鈥淲e want students to understand that knowledge isn鈥檛 only found in books or classrooms,鈥� Osei says. 鈥淭here鈥檚 immense wisdom held within local communities, and it鈥檚 just as valuable as traditional scholarship. That鈥檚 a critical part of cultural humility鈥攍earning how to truly listen.鈥�
From Inspiration to Action
What happens after students return from these experiences is equally powerful. Many scholars channel what they鈥檝e learned into action鈥攃reating research projects, launching campus organizations, or producing creative work that reflects their commitment to justice. Others take their passion into the world after graduation, starting nonprofits, raising funds for medical research, or working in global disaster relief.
The program also offers practical support to help students merge their academic and career goals with their commitment to service. Through partnerships with offices like NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development, scholars learn how to talk about their research, volunteer work, and activism in ways that resonate with employers and graduate schools.
A Legacy That Lives On In The Arts and Beyond
The MLK Scholars Program鈥檚 impact doesn鈥檛 stop at NYU鈥檚 gates. Alumni like Brittney Johnson (Tisch 鈥�12), the first Black actress to play Glinda in Wicked, use their platforms to advocate for greater equity and representation in the arts. Others, like Travis Montez Johnson (CAS 鈥�00), weave together careers in law, poetry, and education鈥攄emonstrating that social change work can flourish at the intersection of creativity, advocacy, and public service.
鈥淒r. King once said the goal of true education is 鈥榠ntelligence plus character,鈥� and that鈥檚 the foundation of everything we do,鈥� Osei reflects. 鈥淥ur hope is that when scholars leave this program, they are not only informed citizens, but also courageous leaders who inspire others to step up and join the conversation.鈥�
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