On Monday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m., Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the Student Center Auditorium, the Center for Community and Belonging and the Black Student Alliance joined to host Dr. Rickey Bolden, a legacy speaker to talk about both his own work for unity and Dr. King’s work.  

“Ricky Bolden is just a legend of a human being…I didn’t even ask him [to give a talk]. Someone else was talking about MLK Legacy Week and he volunteered…It just made the most sense to highlight him for this kind of an event,” said Alex Hill, director of the Center for Community and Belonging on how and why Rickey Bolden ended up giving the talk. 

Bolden, a Brethren pastor who went to Ashland Theological Seminary, as well as a former NFL player for the Cleveland Browns, spent his speech mainly talking about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message of love for everyone, as we are all made in the image of God. He described his difficult upbringing in inner-city Dallas, his experience playing pro football, and how he felt called by God to leave and join ministry. 

Dr. Bolden’s goal with his ministry, as he said during his talk, is to break down divides and unite people of different races and political views, showing them that their differences are okay, and it is most important to remember the love of Christ and that we are all children of God. He especially highlighted the importance of having faith in God to love others. 

Other events during Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Week, which will last until Saturday, Jan. 25, include the Gospel Night in Redwood Hall on Jan. 21 at 9 p.m., the Civil Rights & the Church Panel in the Seminary Chapel on Jan. 23 at 12 p.m., and the Culture Fest in Redwood Hall on Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. 

To find out more about these events and other upcoming events and organizations on campus, visit Engage Ashland or visit the Engage Ashland Instagram page @engage_ashland.