The University of Findlay and the Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center held the third annual Unity Walk and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration Monday, Jan. 15 to recognize the contributions of King, a Nobel Prize winner and an influential leader in American history.

The Unity Walk began in the parking lot of the Anchor Community Center at 215 East St., Findlay, Ohio, and continued south across the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Main Cross Street to Central Church of Christ at the intersection of East and Hardin streets.

The celebration at Central Church of Christ featured keynote speaker Dr. Howard “H” Ward. He presented “We are STILL Caught in an Incapable Network of Mutuality.”

The grandson of Mississippi sharecroppers and the son of upstate New York migrant farm workers, Ward received his bachelor’s degree from Mount Union College and his master’s degree from Bowling Green State University (BGSU). He also holds a doctorate in higher education from BGSU.

Ward has worked in higher education for 29 years and has received numerous awards for his work with students, promoting diversity and participation in community service. He is actively involved in United Way leadership positions at Rochester Institute of Technology, where he currently serves as assistant vice president of housing operations, and serves on several nonprofit boards including the Women/Children Crisis Center, African American Family Resource Center, Hospital Advisory Board and Bi-Racial Partnerships.

The celebration also included music, poetry and comments from Tony Iriti, mayor of Findlay, and Dr. DeBow Freed, president of the University. A short reception followed the program.

For more information, contact the Office of Intercultural Student Services at 419-434-6967 or the Black Heritage Library at 419-423-4954.