With the theme of “The Power of the Dream: Better Together,” the 21st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Breakfast, held Jan. 17 at the University of Georgia’s Tate Student Center, looked at the good that can be done when everyone serves.

“I want to thank all of your for being here today to honor Dr. King’s legacy and for recommitting ourselves to the collective efforts that he stood for and to realizing his vision and dream for all of here at the University of Georgia, in this community, in this nation and throughout the world,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead.

UGA President Jere W. Morehead welcomes guests to the 2025 Freedom Breakfast (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)

Thomas C. Settles III, senior pastor of Calvary Bible Church, chaplain for the University of Georgia football team and campus director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, used his keynote address to encourage people to think about how they can accomplish their work by coming together.

“Our theme for the 2025 Freedom Breakfast is ‘Better Together’ because Dr. King’s life embodied the belief that we are truly better together,” Settles said. “I want us to leave here this morning thinking about the amazing work that is yet to be done in our school, in our city and in our country. I want you to leave here recognizing that we’re better together.”

Thomas C. Settles III delivers the keynote address at the 2025 Freedom Breakfast. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)

Settles shared several points from King’s life related to that theme, including that King envisioned a world that didn’t yet exist. Even now, he said, people can look at things differently and see obstacles as opportunities.

Settles also reflected upon one of King’s most reflected passages that, “The time is always right to do what is right.” Settles encouraged the audience to take opportunities to serve when they feel called.

“For us to be better together, we need everyone to be engaged in the game,” Settles said. “We need to have love as our logo, we need people who are more focused on being faithful than famous, and we need to remember it is always right to do right.”

In addition to honoring the legacy of the late civil rights leader, the Freedom Breakfast also recognizes students, faculty, staff and local community members dedicated to fostering goodwill through civic engagement with the President’s Fulfilling the Dream Award.

This year’s recipients are:

• Rayna Carter, a third-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology while also pursuing dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in sociology and women’s studies;
• Jeremy Daniel, assistant to the director for strategic initiatives at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, a unit of the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach; and
• Harold Rittenberry, renowned Athens sculptor and artist.

The Dawn D. Bennett Alexander Inclusive Community Award was also presented to Candice Hollenbeck, senior lecturer in the Terry College of Business’ marketing department.

“I am reminded of Dr. King’s powerful words,  ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is what are you doing for others?’ The individuals we’ve honored today have answered that question with their work, their courage and their dedication to creating a better world for us all,” said Rod Guajardo, who serves assistant to the president and presented the awards.

As part of the event, Wayne Spencer, a senior at Clarke Central High School, performed “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” and “Wake Up Everybody.”

Additionally, students from the Clarke County School District shared some of their writing and artwork celebrating King’s legacy around the theme, “The Power of Peace.”

“Our theme, ‘Better Together,’ calls on us recognize that our collective strength is found in our unity. Dr. King understood the power of joining hands across lines of difference. Today, we have witnessed what that looks like in practice,” said Alton Standifer, vice provost for inclusive excellence and chief of staff to the provost. “Our award recipients, our keynote speaker and every individual here — each of you embodies the progress we can make when we stand together.”