Young Minds Take Center Stage at San Jose's Annual MLK Day Luncheon
The African American Community Service Agency's 46th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon, held at San Jose State University, drew in a crowd of over 550 people who were eager to celebrate the legacy of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event was filled with powerful speeches, heartfelt moments, and inspiring stories that highlighted the impact of King's message on contemporary society.
Young Sean Atitsogbe, affectionately known as "Sean the Science Kid," stole the show with his engaging conversation on stage with Dr. Kiesha King, head of U.S. education policy at T-Mobile. The 11-year-old science whiz wowed the audience with his insightful comments on the importance of science and technology in bridging cultural divides and advancing social justice.
Sean emphasized that science can be a powerful tool for truth-telling and shedding light on deeper meaning. He also pointed out that with the rise of social media, young children are now getting exposed to politics and current events at an early age, making them more informed and empowered to take action.
In contrast, Angela Rye's 20-minute keynote address left little room for doubt - she was unapologetic in her critique of those who seek to erase history and distort the content of Dr. King's message. She urged the audience to support policies that prioritize justice, dignity, and opportunity for all, rather than perpetuating systemic injustices.
Other notable honorees included Tiffany Unarce Barry, Noelle Rabago, Fr. Jon Pedigo, Richard Anderson, Marc Philpart, Erica Yew, Coleetta McElroy, and Milan Balinton, who received commendations for their dedication to service, leadership, and community building.
The event also featured a range of other guests, including elected officials from San Jose City Council and Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. U.S. Reps. Sam Liccardo and Zoe Lofgren were among those in attendance, both of whom spoke about the significance of Dr. King's legacy and its relevance to contemporary issues.
As one attendee aptly put it, "After hearing Sean the Science Kid, I feel like an underachiever." The event was a testament to the enduring power of Dr. King's message, which continues to inspire new generations of leaders and change-makers to take action on behalf of justice, equality, and human rights.
The African American Community Service Agency's 46th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon, held at San Jose State University, drew in a crowd of over 550 people who were eager to celebrate the legacy of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event was filled with powerful speeches, heartfelt moments, and inspiring stories that highlighted the impact of King's message on contemporary society.
Young Sean Atitsogbe, affectionately known as "Sean the Science Kid," stole the show with his engaging conversation on stage with Dr. Kiesha King, head of U.S. education policy at T-Mobile. The 11-year-old science whiz wowed the audience with his insightful comments on the importance of science and technology in bridging cultural divides and advancing social justice.
Sean emphasized that science can be a powerful tool for truth-telling and shedding light on deeper meaning. He also pointed out that with the rise of social media, young children are now getting exposed to politics and current events at an early age, making them more informed and empowered to take action.
In contrast, Angela Rye's 20-minute keynote address left little room for doubt - she was unapologetic in her critique of those who seek to erase history and distort the content of Dr. King's message. She urged the audience to support policies that prioritize justice, dignity, and opportunity for all, rather than perpetuating systemic injustices.
Other notable honorees included Tiffany Unarce Barry, Noelle Rabago, Fr. Jon Pedigo, Richard Anderson, Marc Philpart, Erica Yew, Coleetta McElroy, and Milan Balinton, who received commendations for their dedication to service, leadership, and community building.
The event also featured a range of other guests, including elected officials from San Jose City Council and Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. U.S. Reps. Sam Liccardo and Zoe Lofgren were among those in attendance, both of whom spoke about the significance of Dr. King's legacy and its relevance to contemporary issues.
As one attendee aptly put it, "After hearing Sean the Science Kid, I feel like an underachiever." The event was a testament to the enduring power of Dr. King's message, which continues to inspire new generations of leaders and change-makers to take action on behalf of justice, equality, and human rights.
he's right on point about how important it is for kids like him to be exposed to complex issues from a young age so they can make informed decisions about creating positive change! 
meanwhile, angela ryes keynote was super powerful and needed to happen - we gotta keep pushing for policies that prioritize justice and equality for all 
what's also amazing is how the event brought together such an incredible group of community leaders and changemakers who are dedicated to making a real difference in people's lives 
you know what's really inspiring? seeing kids like sean atitsogbe taking center stage and sharing their thoughts on how science and tech can be used for good 
. it's not just about being knowledgeable, but also about using that knowledge to make a positive impact on the world. i love how angela rye spoke out against erasing history and distortions of dr king's message - we need more voices like hers who are willing to hold people accountable 
. and yeah, let's be real, it's pretty cool to see young people being empowered by social media 
. but ultimately, it's up to us as a society to create opportunities for these kids to thrive and make a difference 
.
what a breath of fresh air to see kids like sean atitsogbe taking center stage and sharing their thoughts... he might not be done with his education yet but already showing some serious stuff 
need more young voices like hers in politics ASAP 
. I mean, 11-year-old Sean is out there killing the game with his science talk 
, while Angela Rye is bringing the heat with her keynote address 
. It's refreshing to see young people taking center stage and using their voices for good 
.
. Time to step up and make some noise! 
)
So I'm watching this video of 11-yr-old Sean Atitsogbe go off on stage at the MLK Day luncheon and I am DEAD 
! I love how he's speaking truth to power about the importance of science in bridging cultural divides. It gives me hope for the future, you know? We need more kids like Sean who are using their voices for good 
! So I just watched this super inspiring video of a 11yo kid named Sean who's basically breaking the internet with his science knowledge 
. and Angela Rye's keynote speech was straight fire 
. anyhoo, this MLK Day luncheon event was everything and more 
.
. Angela Rye's keynote address served as a timely reminder that we need to prioritize critical thinking and nuanced discussions around historical narratives and systemic injustices 
I mean who needs a PhD in politics when you can just spit hot science facts all day? But seriously, I love how these young minds are taking center stage and leading the conversation on social justice. It's about time we had some fresh faces in the mix. Angela Rye's keynote speech was like a shot of adrenaline for everyone - it's not always easy to hear the truth, but someone's gotta say it 
, I mean, who wouldn't want to learn from a kid his age? And Angela Rye's keynote speech was super powerful 
. It's amazing how these young folks are already thinking critically about the world and its problems.
.
We need more people like her speaking truth to power 
Can't wait to see what they do next 
and I'm still buzzing from the energy! The whole thing was so well-structured - speeches, performances, recognitions... it was like a masterfully designed infographic for your soul 