Averett University held several events honoring the message of Martin Luther King Jr. this year.
The University partnered with Danville Riverview Rotary to co-host America’s Sunday Supper on Sunday, Jan. 14, at Cottontail Wedding and Events in downtown Danville. The event was emceed by Dr. Monica Motley and saw more than 200 people in attendance. The group watched a short video and then attendees at each table were led by questions from a table leader, 
creating discussion surrounding the topic of diversity and the community.
The National Bonner Leaders at Averett, led by Brigid Belko, director of experiential learning at the Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness, and April Love, AmeriCorps VISTA for the National Bonner Leader program at Averett, also held a Sunday Supper for Averett students, staff and faculty members. The supper on campus was emceed by University Chaplain Skylar Daniel and table discussion included sharing stories about different perspectives, experiences surrounding diversity, and MLK’s vision of people of diverse 
backgrounds interacting on personal levels.
On Monday, Jan. 15, Averett students and staff helped organize food and clean shopping carts at God’s Storehouse in Danville. Averett’s North Campus Facilities Team was all in attendance scrubbing shopping carts and say they decided to help out because, “Averett is a big part of the Danville community and the community means a lot to us.” This was their way of giving back. The day of service with God’s Storehouse was organized by Rachel Covington, assistant director of community engagement, at the Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness 
at Averett.
On Monday night, the Black Student Union in conjunction with Student Life and Averett professor Antoinette Gazda, hosted an Open Mic Night in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Members of the community, along with students, faculty and staff were encouraged to read a poem, quote or excerpt from a novel or sing a song. Organizers say they were very happy with the turnout and participation.
