Florida State University hosted Leslie Odom, Jr. as the featured speaker for its annual Golden Torch Lecture Series on January 20, marking the university’s 38th Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Week celebration. The event was organized by FSU’s Student Government Association in partnership with Union Productions and the Office of Student Agencies and Institutes.
FSU’s MLK Week is an established tradition that aims to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by fostering unity between the university and the Tallahassee community. The week includes various events across campus coinciding with Dr. King’s birthday and the federal holiday.
Felicia Williams, director of Student Engagement, said, “Bringing Leslie Odom, Jr. to campus through our MLK Program and the Golden Torch Lecture Series was a powerful reflection of this year’s theme, ‘Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers.’ From the FSU School of Theatre Masterclass to the sold-out moderated conversation, the experience affirmed the arts as a vehicle for leadership, truth-telling and healing. Odom’s body of work, spanning Broadway, film, and music, models how storytelling can elevate voices and inspire collective responsibility. His closing performance was intentional and deeply moving; it reminded us of the power of shared humanity and left a lasting impact on our campus and the Tallahassee community that we will never forget.”
The program began with FSU’s Air Force ROTC presenting colors while DaSean Stokes performed both the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Other performances included those by the FSU Gospel Choir and dance student Jamora Lewis. The evening also recognized recipients of this year’s MLK Book Stipend awards before concluding with Odom’s keynote address.
Odom addressed themes such as identity, artistry, and building upon previous generations’ achievements during his conversation moderated by Jasmine Bracey from FSU’s School of Theatre.
“Chances are you are not the first person to do anything — and that’s a wonderful thing — because even in the scariest moments, you can borrow from the courage of the people that have come before you,” Odom said. “You still gotta do it yourself, but you are not alone. The people that have succeed before you are rooting you on.”
He continued: “My job is to run my leg of the race with everything I’ve got — is to pour it out, pour it out,” he said. “We must be cumulative in our time. I think we must fill ourselves up with as much as has come before as possible because we have to be all of that and. You have to be everything that has come before and.”
Students were able to ask Odom questions about his career in Broadway productions like “Hamilton,” his favorite films, artistic experiences, fatherhood, and personal lessons learned throughout his career.
Earlier in the day, Odom led a masterclass for students at FSU’s School of Theatre where six students received personalized feedback on their performances.
This year’s MLK Book Stipend awards went to Alexis Butum and Julia Pieri (sponsored by FSU Department of Student Engagement), along with Joshua Francis and Leah Mungo (sponsored by FSU National Black Alumni).
For more information about Florida State University’s annual MLK Week Celebration visit https://mlk.fsu.edu/.
