Students, faculty and members of the greater Medford/Somerville community gathered in Cohen Auditorium for Tufts University’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on Thursday. Titled “Where Do We Go From Here?” after King’s 1967 speech, the event featured speakers, including University President Sunil Kumar, as well as poetry, song and dance of both contemporary and traditional varieties. In addition, sophomore Sonia Broni received the 2025 MLK Student Voices Award winner. To cap off the night, two Tufts professors led a a traditional Ghanaian drum performance that ended in a procession to the nearby Alumnae Hall for a dinner reception.
Rev. Elyse Nelson Winger, the university chaplain, opened the MLK Celebration on Jan. 30 with a speech.
Local artist Buddafly led the auditorium in a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
University President Sunil Kumar delivered remarks during the MLK Celebration on Jan. 30.
Africana Center Director Katrina Moore introduced the theme of the event – "Where Do We Go From Here?" – taken from King's 1967 speech.
During the event, sophomore Sonia Broni recited her poem "From Black to Grey: The Journey Forward" and was presented with the 2025 MLK Student Voices Award.
The Ladies of Essence, an a cappella group specializing in music from the African diaspora, performed two songs.
Jean Appolon, director of Jean Appolon Expressions, addressed the audience.
Dancers of Jean Appolon Expressions, a Haitian folkloric and contemporary group, performed.
The dancers were also accompanied by a percussion ensemble.
S-Factor, which specializes in music of the African diaspora, performed two songs.
Ashley Rose Salomon, Tufts’ restorative practices program director, presented her poem "Black Joy."
Anthony Cruz Pantojas, Tufts' humanist chaplain, delivered closing remarks.
The celebration concluded with a performance of Bammaya, a traditional Ghanian drum and dance style.
Emmanuel Attah Poku performed Bammaya drumming.
After the MLK Celebration, the drummers led a procession out from Cohen Auditorium to Alumnae Hall, where a dinner was held.
