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Kentucky State University hosted its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly Jan. 22 in the Carl H. Smith Auditorium of David H. Bradford Hall.

Harry E. Johnson Sr., the immediate past president of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc., provided the assembly address.

“Claim your time,” Johnson said. “Now is your time to make a difference on campus and in the world.”

Johnson said the world needs leaders who are not in love with money, but in love with justice.

“Use your education to give back to those less fortunate,” Johnson said.

Johnson challenged the audience to rise up with a greater purpose to change themselves, their towns, their communities, their state, the nation and the world.

Johnson led the foundation at president and CEO from 2002 until 2013. Under his leadership, the foundation raised $120 million to complete the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. national memorial.

James Shaw Jr. received the Kentucky State University Thorobred Award.

“He is hailed a hero after quickly disarming a man on April 22, 2018, who opened fire on an Antioch Waffle House in Nashville, Tennessee, killing four and wounding two others,” Kentucky State University President M. Christopher Brown II said.

The Spirit of King Award was given to longtime former Kentucky State employee Isadore Rich.

“We are pleased to welcome back to this hallowed hill, Mr. Isadore Rich,” President Brown said. “Mr. Rich began working at Kentucky State in 1973 and retired in 2016.”

Student Government Association President Michael N. Weaver offered closing remarks.

“No person has the right to rain on your dreams,” Weaver said. “Follow your dreams. Pursue them. Fall in love with them. But most importantly, achieve them.”