Florida State University’s Student Government Association, in collaboration with Union Productions and the Office of Student Agencies and Institutes, welcomed songwriter, actor and author Leslie Odom, Jr. for the annual Golden Torch Lecture Series Tuesday, Jan. 20, as part of the university community’s 38th MLK Week celebration.

Florida State University’s MLK Week has celebrated the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for more than three decades in an effort to bring the FSU and Tallahassee communities together to reflect on the past and support one another to build a better world for tomorrow. The weeklong celebration across campus aligns with Dr. King’s birthday on Jan. 15 and the federal holiday observed on the third Monday of the month.

“Bringing Leslie Odom, Jr. to campus through our MLK Program and the Golden Torch Lecture Series was a powerful reflection of this year’s theme, ‘Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers,’” said Felicia Williams, director of Student Engagement. “From the FSU School of Theatre Masterclass to the sold-out moderated conversation, the experience affirmed the arts as a vehicle for leadership, truth-telling and healing. Odom’s body of work, spanning Broadway, film, and music, models how storytelling can elevate voices and inspire collective responsibility. His closing performance was intentional and deeply moving; it reminded us of the power of shared humanity and left a lasting impact on our campus and the Tallahassee community that we will never forget.”

FSU’s Air Force ROTC kicked off the program with the presentation of colors, with DaSean Stokes singing the National Anthem and Lift Every Voice and Sing. The evening also featured performances by the FSU Gospel Choir and School of Dance student Jamora Lewis, recognition of the MLK Book Stipend awardees and concluded with Odom’s keynote conversation and surprise performance.

“Chances are you are not the first person to do anything — and that’s a wonderful thing — because even in the scariest moments, you can borrow from the courage of the people that have come before you.”

– Leslie Odom, Jr.

Odom is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning, three-time Emmy and two-time Academy Award-nominated songwriter, actor and New York Times bestselling author. Best known for his breakout role as Aaron Burr in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical “Hamilton,” Odom has continued to captivate audiences across multiple platforms through six albums, two books, as well as television, film and stage roles.

Some of Odom’s film and television credits include Rian Johnson’s record-breaking 2022 Knives Out sequel, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” for Netflix, “Abbott Elementary,” “Harriet,” “The Many Saints of Newark,” a prequel to David Chase’s award-winning HBO series “The Sopranos,” Apple TV+’s “Central Park” (2020 Emmy nomination), “Hamilton” on Disney+ (2021 Emmy nomination), host of “The Tony Awards Present: Broadway’s Back!” on CBS (2022 Emmy nomination), “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder,” and many more.

Odom’s inspiring Golden Torch Lecture conversation covered a wide array of themes including identity, artistry and the importance of building upon the legacy of those who came before us. The conversation was moderated by FSU School of Theatre Assistant Professor of Performance Jasmine Bracey.

“Chances are you are not the first person to do anything — and that’s a wonderful thing — because even in the scariest moments, you can borrow from the courage of the people that have come before you,” Odom shared. “You still gotta do it yourself, but you are not alone. The people that have succeed before you are rooting you on.”

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Elgin Jumper, renowned Seminole artist and poet, put his artistic curiosity and array of mediums on display during a showcase Oct. 22 at Florida State University’s Club Downunder. Jumper captivated the audience in a multi-sensory immersive performance that included his latest film “The Project,” a variety of musical instruments to create soundscapes, poetry, personal stories and paintings.

“It’s like taking a journey every time you do a painting or a poem or a piece of nonfiction,” Jumper said in the film. “I try not to do the same thing over and over.”

The event was a collaboration between FSU’s Club Downunder and Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) Center.

“Every time I see (Elgin) he adds another instrument, another skill set,” said Andrew Frank, director of the NAIS.

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The Florida State University Student Government Association, in collaboration with Union Productions and the Office of Student Agencies and Institutes, welcomed actor Da’Vinchi and CNN anchor Sara Sidner for an inspiring intergenerational conversation during the annual Golden Torch Lecture Series Tuesday as part of the university community’s MLK Week celebration. 

MLK Week aims to bring the FSU and Tallahassee communities together to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his work to advocate for the civil rights of all. 

Da’Vinchi, who is best known for his roles in the TV series “Jessica Jones,” “Grown-ish,” “BMF” and “All American,” is an outspoken mental health advocate who is passionate about raising awareness of and engaging in conversations about available mental health resources, organizations and platforms. Sidner is an award-winning senior national and international correspondent who currently co-anchors CNN News Central and led the network’s coverage of the deaths of Michael Brown and George Floyd.

“Da’Vinchi and Sara’s moving conversation inspired everyone to continue working toward a more just and equitable world by honoring Dr. King’s memory and ideals and reaffirming the commitment to creating a better future for all, that starts with self,” said Felicia Williams, director of Student Engagement. 

This year’s MLK Week theme, “Moving Forward,” is based on King’s encouragement of people to move forward in pursuit of their dreams even when obstacles appear. Sidner spoke to how King persisted in his fight for civil rights for all.  

“MLK was not fearless,” Sidner said. “To fear is to be human. What makes Dr. King so incredible is that he felt that fear and did it anyway. He used faith and courage to overcome it.” 

Da’Vinchi and Sidner shared how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream personally influenced their lives and how his life and legacy serve as an example for all. 

“I’m so grateful for MLK and the dream that he had. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to see the dream that he had, but we get to reap the benefits of his dream.”  

– Da’Vinchi, actor

Having first learned about King in elementary school, Da’Vinchi believes in the importance of passing the torch to the next generation. 

“I’m so grateful for MLK and the dream that he had,” Da’Vinchi said. “Unfortunately, he didn’t get to see the dream that he had, but we get to reap the benefits of his dream.”  

Bringing their unique backgrounds with them to the conversation and Q&A, Da’Vinchi and Sidner also offered guidance on how to overcome adversity and to persist on the path to success. 

Da’Vinchi highlighted the importance of recognizing the value of mental health: “I started actively working on my mindset, and then I realized that’s what people call mental health. But to me I was just trying to become better. And then I went ‘wait — this is mental health.’ We care about physical health, and I think it should be done the same way with your mentality.” 

Sidner pondered the bigger picture of overcoming adversity from both external and internal forces: “We tend to think that ‘we shall overcome’ is just about overcoming the oppression that is done to others and us, but that is not where it ends. I argue that ‘we shall overcome’ is just as much about overcoming our own fears to be who we really are. To be our true authentic self even in the face of judgment.”  

The evening also honored recipients of FSU’s MLK Book Stipend award for students. Danelle Bernten and Jasani Robinson were named recipients of the $350 book stipends. Bernten is a graduate student studying modern and contemporary art whose award was provided by the Office of Student Agencies and Institutes. Robinson’s award was made possible by the Black Alumni Association and will help the second-year exercise physiology student with his aspirations of becoming a pediatrician.  

MLK Week events will conclude with Coffee Hour with the Center for Global Engagement from 5-6:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 19. 

For more information, visit mlk.fsu.edu.  

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