Central Methodist University and the African American Student Union (AASU) invited the Fayette community to campus on Monday for the annual MLK Luncheon honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Held in the Inman Student and Community Center, the event successfully brought students, faculty, and staff together with members of the community.
AASU president Jaylon Lewis began the festivities by welcoming all those in attendance and thanking them for their support of the event and the organization. He then introduced campus chaplain Scotty Wall to lead the room in prayer before the meal. Wall took a moment to reflect on the Methodist baptism covenant in the context of Dr. King.
“I think we can all agree to this. [The covenant] asks, ‘Do you resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?’” said Wall. “That was one thing, I believe, among many others that Martin Luther King, Jr. stood for: resisting evil, injustice, and oppression in all the forms they present themselves.”
Following a brunch served by the Fresh Ideas staff, AASU’s vice president, Claireece Cross, took to the podium to read an excerpt from a 1967 speech by Dr. King titled “Where Do We Go from Here.” Cross and Lewis then presented the two awards given annually at the event.
The 2025 Lea Tindall Award was presented to CMU alumna and current admissions representative Mackenzie Hustead ’17, while the Bright Future Award was given to J.T. Taylor.
The Tindall Award recognizes individuals who exemplify a dedication to serving others in the spirit of Dr. King and who are deserving of honoring the memory of Ms. Lealure Tindall. Hustead’s service to Central made her an ideal candidate, as Lewis described.
“[Hustead] is a valued member of the CMU admissions team and has positively impacted countless lives through her compassionate tireless efforts in assisting students with the transfer process,” he said. “Students consistently praise her for her commonness, helpfulness, and unwavering support throughout their journey. Beyond her work and admissions, she is an active supporter of various events and organizations along the CMU campus, demonstrating her deep commitment to build a stronger, more inclusive community.”
Hustead deflected praise when asked about the award, turning her appreciation back to the AASU organization.
“I think seeing the group of people gathered here today is just as exciting as any award,” she said. “I was on this campus for four years as a student, and I feel like the presence of AASU has grown exponentially since then. An to be recognized for being able to impact students in any way feels really special, and I love to see all that they’re doing.”
The MLK Bright Future Award honors young leaders who embody Dr. King’s values of education, service, leadership, and social justice. Recipients inspire bold dreams, foster unity, and drive meaningful change, carrying forward MLK’s legacy of equality and progress. The award highlights the power of service, justice, and uplifting humanity to shape a brighter future.
In introducing Taylor as this year’s winner, Cross described him as a recent transfer student who has made “significant impact” during his first semester at Central.
“In his free time, [Taylor] dedicates himself to supporting our athletics programs by using his creative talents in photo and video production to help promote our teams,” she said. “His contributions have not gone unnoticed as he has played an essential role in highlighting the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes. In addition to his work with athletics, he is an active and engaged member of the African American Student Union, demonstrating his commitment to building a stronger and more inclusive campus community.”
Taylor was delighted to have been recognized by his peers for this award.
“It means a lot to know that I have a bright future ahead, that I have a lot of talent,” he said. “I’ve been here for around six months now, and to receive an award connected to Martin Luther King, Jr. is amazing. I have a lot of kindness and smiles to give to the world, and being an influence for kids and everyone is exciting.”