Courtney McLain
Cooke is the
The University of South Carolina honors the life of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
In January 1983, the USC Black Alumni Caucus sponsored the first university program. The group continued to sponsor the event, held in Rutledge Chapel, until 1986. In 1986, the program was expanded and moved to the Russell House Ballroom featuring King’s daughter, Yolanda King, as keynote speaker. In 1999, then-President John M. Palms canceled classes and declared the day a university-wide day of service, and that tradition continues today.
Previous Social Justice Award Winners
Nicole Cooke
Cooke is the Augusta Baker endowed chair in the School of Information Science. In a field where more than 85 percent of the professionals are white women, Cooke stands out. And that observation inspired her desire to help diversify the field of librarians to make the profession more equitable and better reflective of the communities librarians serve. Cooke is a leader on campus through her research and classes focusing on diversity and social justice, with a goal to develop a cadre of people who can go out and do social justice work and bring others along on the journey.
Toby S. Jenkins
Jenkins, associate professor and director of the Museum of Education, grew up in Columbia and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina, before leaving her hometown for universities and experiences all around the globe. At every stop, she was an advocate for diversity in higher education, for forging inclusive communities and for making sure college students find a welcoming home on campuses. She is considered a national expert on cultural inclusion and the student experience in higher education, focusing particularly on the innovation and transformation of university cultural centers.
Jay Urich
Urich, Gamecock football student-athlete, carried a sign proclaiming "'Matter' is the Minimum" at the Black Lives Matter protests in Columbia in the summer of 2020. It was a moment that united people across the state, including the rival football teams of South Carolina and Clemson. And it’s a moment Urich has built on since then, including starting a nonprofit, Original Design, which aims to provide resources, opportunities and supportive relationships to help underserved children around the state. The organization plans to offer camps for 10- to 12-year-olds that focus on faith, public health and sports, with the goal to help children live healthy, honorable lives.
Faculty Winner - Daniella Cook, Ph. D.
Associate Professor
College of Education
Faculty Winner - Spencer Platt, Ph. D.
Associate Professor
College of Education
Staff Winner - Aisha Haynes
Assistant Director
Center for Teaching Excellence
Student Winner - Kyanna Samuel
Undergraduate student
majoring in early childhood education
Faculty Winner - Dr. Rajeev Bais
Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
School of Medicine
Director, Carolina Survivor Clinic
Staff Winner - Maureen Grewe
Director of Student Conduct
Department of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity
Student Winner - Chelsea Jimenez
Undergraduate student
Senior majoring in early childhood education
Student Winner - Lyric Swinton
Undergraduate student
Junior majoring in sport and entertainment management
Faculty Winner - Kenneth Campbell, M.S., Ph.D.
Associate professor
School of Journalism and Mass Communications
Faculty Winner - Michele Myers, M.S., Ed.S., Ph.D.
Clinical Associate Professor
College of Education
Staff Winner - Sarah Keeling, M.Ed., Ph.D.
Student Services Manager
School of Library and Information Science
Student Winner - Dizha Green
Undergraduate student
Senior majoring in early childhood education
MLK Symposium Events
USC Symphony Orchestra: Appalachian Spring and Awadagin Pratt
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023
Location: Koger Center Auditorium
Cost: General public - $30 Seniors / military / USC faculty and staff - $25 Children under 18 and non-USC students with ID - $8 USC Students - free with student ID - must be picked up from the Koger Box Office (corner of Park and Greene) before 5:00 p.m. on the day of the performance or in the Koger Center lobby immediately prior to the performance.