Chico celebrates MLK with Victory in Unity

CHICO — Chico State hosted a variety of performances and speakers at the annual Victory in Unity Celebration on Sunday.

MLK Unity Group and the Black Student Union put on the free event in the Bell Memorial Union and outside at the Trinity Commons. The event celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and marked the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.

Features of the event included an outdoor rally, various performances, an “Arts and Facts” exhibit, a community dinner and a keynote address from Minister Charles L. Coleman, second vice president of the NAACP Butte County Branch.

Theater group Hue Vision performed at the event led by director Baba Kauna.

The message of Hue Vision’s performance was, “to give another perspective on Martin Luther King, not the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech,” Kauna said.

The performance art group focuses on issues of social justice.

“As opposed to the story being told by the hunter, it is now being told by the hunted,” Kauna said.

Performances took place in the Bell Memorial Union and on Trinity lawn.

The children’s theater group, La Bam, put on a runway show with performers dressed as historical Black figures.

Event organizer Emmanuelle Sainte introduced the young models as they walked across the stage and waved at the crowd. She spoke a bit about each historical figure portrayed by the children as they took their turn on stage.

One young performer, Isara Dixon, wiped away a few tears before walking on stage dressed as Menen Asfaw, empress of Ethiopia.

“You’re doing so great mama,” said Sainte, as Dixon waved to spectators.

“Empress Menen was active in promoting women’s issues in Ethiopia … And she also helped build the first school for women. So what Oprah got to say about that?” said Sainte, prompting the crowd to laugh and applaud.

In the “Arts and Facts” exhibit, community organizations tabled for various causes.

“It’s an ongoing opportunity to interact with the general public authentically regarding lesser known aspects of the African diaspora,” said Anecia Johnson, founder of the African-focused center of learning “Amma Culture,”

Johnson tabled with her organization Amma Culture for the event, which fell on her birthday.

Johnson, a lifelong Chicoan, said it is her “divine purpose,” to share lesser known knowledge about the contributions and Black and indigenous people. She also expressed the importance of community.

“One thing I tell all people, and it doesn’t matter what color or ethnicity they identify with, is one has to be deliberate about creating true community,” Johnson said.

Tyrek Edwards, president of the Black Student Union, moved to Chico from Inglewood to study construction management.

“I think that this event is a start,” Edwards said. “It’s a milestone for us.”

Edwards said he experienced microaggressions when he moved to Chico, which he said comes with moving to a new environment.

“Sometimes passion can be looked at as frustration, and that’s not always the case,” Edwards said.

To Black students who might be wary of coming to Chico, Edwards said:  “Chico does have a potential for change … The soil here is rich. There’s a lot of opportunity for you to create a great resume … Don’t be afraid of it because it does have potential.”