The Power of Us: Black Activism Through Expression, Identity, and Community

The Ethel Walker School community recently gathered for our annual MLK Day program — a fully student-designed and student-led day rooted in Dr. King’s teachings and inspired by his final sermon, “The Drum Major Instinct.” This year’s theme, “The Power of Us: Black Activism Through Expression, Identity, and Community,” asked us to consider how activism emerges through creativity, storytelling, identity, movement, and care for one another.

The morning began with a reflection that grounded the community in the purpose of the day: “Today is about honoring Dr. King by using what we have — our voices, our gifts, our courage — to serve others.” We then welcomed keynote speaker Annaka Paradis, Sc.M., a public health researcher whose national work advances health equity, behavioral health access, disability employment, and community well-being. As Lead Research Associate at Westat, Annaka plays a key role in large-scale federal initiatives, including the AHRQ Academy for Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care and multiple SAMHSA projects that strengthen care systems for marginalized communities.

Following the keynote, Upper School students led 13 workshops that showcased activism in its many forms, including “Silence is Violence: A Lesson in Allyship,” “Care For Your Crown,” “The Power of Politics: Grab a Pen and Change the World,” “The Influence of Celia Cruz: Music as Protest and Identity,” “Beyond the Finish Line: Voices of POC Women in Sports,” and more. Middle School students participated in “Identity on Stage” and explored how identity and representation shape performance.

Throughout the day, students and adults returned to Dr. King’s reminder that greatness is found in service. Through storytelling, art, activism, movement, and community care, our students demonstrated what it means to lead with purpose and imagination.

MLK Day at Walker’s remains a day of purpose — and this year, our community fully lived The Power of Us.”