Alpha Phi Alpha celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King with Prayer Breakfast at Southern Miss

HATTIESBURG, MIss. - Southern Miss' Thad Cochran’s ballroom was packed wall to wall for the 12th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ecumenical and Multicultural Prayer Breakfast Monday.

The Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity men of Mu Gamma Lambda and Mu Xi Chapters in Hattiesburg, commemorated the labor behind the legacy, principles and leadership of Dr. King.

“We hope to heighten and enlighten and encourage those who are coming after us to continue the dreams of works that Dr. King started," said Dr. Eddie Holloway, fraternity member and USM dean of students.

More than 100 attendees enjoyed the program that featured performing arts, prayers and a thought provoking speech from USM Alumnus and program Keynote Speaker, Michael Marks.

“Hattiesburg always lives the legacy of Dr. King. I’ve been so proud of our city, we’ve had transitions, we’ve had transformations but by and large it’s been peaceful, and we’ve been respectful of one another," Marks explained.

A current Southern Miss student and Alpha Phi Alpha Mu Xi member, Ryan Johnson, said that he understands Dr. King's legacy beyond his speeches. He shared that it is true community service unto mankind that unites all people equally.

“Community service is important in the communities like Hattiesburg because one, it will help establish that bond between people who may not look alike and may not be from the same part of town...we need to all realize that we are all people...we’re all in it together to create a better society for our children in the future.” Johnson said.

The fraternity members ended the program in song to remind people of the power in unity.