Central Methodist University and the African American Student Union (AASU) invited the Fayette community to campus on Monday, January 19 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.
Claireece Cross and Natalie Calcatera, AASU president and vice president, each spoke briefly before campus chaplain Scotty Wall led the room in prayer and a meal was served. Following lunch and a video about King’s life and impact, Mackenzie Hustead ’17, AASU advisor and assistant director of student retention, spoke briefly about her own work on campus and efforts to have an impact on Central students and the world. She then invited Cross and Calcatera to present the two annual awards given at the event.
The 2026 Lea Tindall Memorial Award was presented to Brian Valentine, recruitment specialist for the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church, and CMU student Auniyeuh Matlock was named the 2026 Bright Future Award recipient.
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. Cross described King’s message of service and courage, along with Tindall’s example of kindness and leadership, as the guiding tenets for recognizing Valentine as this year’s award recipient.
“Within this past year, [Valentine] has been a key factor in uniting our Cabinet members and inspiring ideas within AASU, showing what real leadership is, just as MLK displayed,” said Cross.
“We think of the commitment and the work that Dr. King did, and personally I am encouraged, because it reminds me that every day we have to get up and make a choice,” Valentine said upon receiving his award. “We have to make a choice to care, love, listen, participate, and show up.”
The MLK Bright Future Award honors young leaders who embody Dr. King’s values of education, service, leadership, and social justice. Recipients like Matlock – a pre-nursing major from Henderson, Texas – 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.
“[Matlock] has been very active and attentive within AASU, always willing to lend a helping hand whenever we’re tackling anything,” said Calcatera. “[She has] displayed MLK’s values through showing up, wanting to form a community, and having a bright attitude.”
Matlock thanked the AASU officers and those in attendance for the recognition.
Cross closed the event by wishing that everyone go forth and continue to build the unity, justice, and peace that Dr. King longed for.