By Kendra Bryant
Special to the AFRO

The Howard L. Cornish Metropolitan Baltimore Chapter of the Morgan State University Alumni Association hosted its 41st annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast on Jan. 10. Held at the Calvin and Tina Tyler Ballroom, the event’s theme was “Empowering the dream of growing our future.”

Led by WBAL-TV 11 News co-anchor Jenyne Donaldson, the event honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and served as a time to recognize scholarship recipients, community leaders and donors.

There were 21 scholarship recipients studying majors such as political science, engineering, graphic design and nursing. 

Morgan State University hosts the annual 41st Martin Luther King, Jr. scholarship breakfast on Jan. 10 at the Calvin and Tina Tyler Ballroom. University alumni, sponsors and students gathered to celebrate the Howard L. Cornish Baltimore Chapter’s 21 scholarship recipients. (Photo Credit: Nyame-kye Kondo, AFRO Photos)

“We want to say congratulations for all that you have done and all that you are going to do,” said Erica M. Waters, president of the Howard L. Cornish Metropolitan Baltimore Chapter. “I wanted to remind you that you must motivate each other. We have to uplift each other. You cannot get that diploma and walk away and never come back. You have to reach out and support those who follow you.”

Dr. David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University noted the importance of the university’s alumni community. 

“I want to give a huge thank you to the Howard L. Cornish Baltimore Chapter for enabling hundreds of students by investing over $1.1 million here at Morgan,” said Wilson. “The continuous support allows students to taste the magic of a Morgan State degree.”

  • Scholarship recipient Akeem Kaswarra introduces himself to the Morgan State University alumni community and thanks them for contributing to his education. (Photo Credit: Nyame-kye Kondo, AFRO Photos)
  • Shown here, musician and Morgan State University alum Vershawn Thompson. (Photo Credit: Nyame-kye Kondo, AFRO Photos)
  • Vocalist KaToriae “Kissi B.” Tru steps out in style. (Photo Credit: Nyame-kye Kondo, AFRO Photos)
  • Along with the scholarship recipients, awards were given to community leaders such as U.S. Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07). (Photo Credit: Nyame-kye Kondo, AFRO Photos)
  • The Morgan Singers, a select group of students from the internationally acclaimed Morgan State University Choir, are led by Dr. Eric A. Conway in one of multiple rousing performances at the breakfast. (Photo Credit: Nyame-kye Kondo, AFRO Photos)
  • Erica M. Waters, president of the Howard L. Cornish Metropolitan Baltimore Chapter of the Morgan State Alumni Association, addresses the crowd. (Photo Credit: Nyame-kye Kondo, AFRO Photos)
  • WBAL co-anchor Jenyne Donaldson serves as Mistress of Ceremonies for the scholarship brunch. (Photo Credit: Nyame-kye Kondo, AFRO Photos)

During the event a select group of students from the Morgan State University Choir, known as the Morgan Singers, performed an array of Black classic hymns, including “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” “We Shall Overcome,”  “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” and “Total Praise.” 

Lt. Col. (Retired) Micheal Bell, president of the Morgan State University Alumni Association, gave a word of advice to the students in attendance: 

“There are three types of people in this world: Those that make things happen, those that watch things happen, and those that wake up and say what the hell happened,” said Bell. “Don’t be that person. I encourage you to stand up and commit to making a change here at Morgan.”

Morgan State University President David K. Wilson addresses the crowd. (Photo Credit: Nyame-kye Kondo, AFRO Photos)

The Rev. Dr. Robert R.A. Turner, senior pastor of The Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, gave the keynote address. He delivered a timely message for 2026 that focused on the story of the Israelites and Pharoah in Exodus 5:7.

“Pharoah told the Israelites that they will no longer be given straw to make bricks. They will have to go and gather the straw for themselves,” said Turner. “What I’m saying is that we need to stop waiting for the master to supply. We’ve never been paid our dues in this nation. America wouldn’t be America and Maryland wouldn’t be Maryland without us.”

U.S. Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md-07) was on the list of honorees for the day, and used his time before the crowd to uplift both the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the students who will forge change in the future. 

“Despite all of the black-and-white footage that you’ve seen from years gone by, Dr. Martin Luther was a young man, which is why these students here today represent that which has not come into being yet,” said Mfume. The Congressman said the recipients were the “generation to pick up and move forward and to lead us on.”

Others honored at the program included leaders of the Boy Scouts of America Troop #846, Philander Wiggins and Harry Williams; Patricia D. Cole; Valerie Cherry-Jones and Anthony C. McPhail. 

McPhail served as the chairman of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast for 38 years. He graduated from Morgan State University in 1976 and died on Dec. 6, 2025.