Cole to headline MLK Jr. rally, marade event

Jahmal Cole, founder and CEO of My Block My Hood My City, will be the guest speaker at South Dakota State University during the third annual Martin Luther King Jr. Rally and Marade event to honor the life and legacy of the civil rights activist. 

The event is Jan. 20 starting at 10 a.m. in Club 71 at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. The public is invited to attend. 

Speakers, including Cole and SDSU President Barry Dunn, will present from 10-11:30 a.m. Following the remarks, the marade will begin. Attendees are also invited to a social event in Club 71 following the march. 

“Hosting this event to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the national holiday dedicated to him reflects our university's commitment to building community and the transformative power of education,” Shelly Bayer, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Accessibility, said. “It provides a space to celebrate his enduring impact, inspire action and foster a deeper understanding of the struggle for civil rights historically, as well as in the present.” 

SDSU men’s basketball head coach Eric Henderson coached Cole during his time at Wayne State University in Nebraska. 

"We are proud to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with our third annual rally and marade,” said Jay Molock, student success adviser and adviser of the Black Student Alliance. “We're bringing together the SDSU campus community and the Brookings community to honor Dr. King’s vision and legacy for justice and equality.”

The rally and marade are hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Accessibility, Diversity in Athletics Council, Students’ Association and Student-Athlete Advisory Council. 

“The Student-Athlete Advisory Council partnered with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Accessibility to host the rally and marade to impact various communities and campus groups in a meaningful way,” said Alivya Bollen, the council’s co-president. “These partnerships support an event that has a greater purpose than just celebrating a national holiday.” 

Cole is the founder and CEO of My Block, My Hood, My City and a dedicated advocate for social justice — committed to building a more interconnected Chicago through service and education. 

Cole is a multi-time Chicago Reader Activist of the Year, Chicago Magazine Chicagoan of the Year, Chicago Defender “Men of Excellence” honoree, American Red Cross Community Impact Hero Award recipient, and the subject of the feature documentary film “A Tiny Ripple of Hope.” He has also had the honor of speaking in front of President Barack Obama and received an honorary Doctorate in Humanities from DePaul University.