Media contact: Yvonne Taunton
UAB’s Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is accepting submissions for the fifth annual “Word from the Mountaintop” MLK Oratory Contest. The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is accepting submissions for the fourth annual “Word from the Mountaintop” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Contest.
Local high school and two-year and four-year college students will have the opportunity to honor King’s legacy by reflecting on his words and connecting his message to issues facing the nation in the 21st century. To be eligible, all participants must be high school (public, parochial, military, private or state-accredited home school), community college or college students currently enrolled in a school located in the Birmingham City, Shelby County or Jefferson County area.
The quote for this year’s competition derives from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech at the 11th Annual Southern Christian Leadership Conference Convention. During his speech, he challenged the audience to think more broadly and equitably in addressing social ills. By asking the question “Where do we go from here?” King also encourages us to examine our systemic structures and the conditions that cause inequality and to strategize ways to maintain the momentum of the movement. For this year’s submission, contestants are asked to write an inspirational speech to encourage communities to keep fighting for social justice in the face of current challenges.
The deadline to submit speeches is Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, by 5 p.m. Speeches can be submitted electronically to inclusion@uab.edu with the subject line: 2022 MLK Speech.
Three finalists from each category (high school and community college/college student) will be contacted and invited to perform their written speeches on Jan. 22, 2022.
For more information, please visit www.uab.edu/dei.