Honoring Resilience: McMurry’s Black History Month Luncheon Celebrates Unity and Strength
In celebration of Black History Month, McMurry University, sponsored by PAATH and TRIO, recently hosted its annual Black History Luncheon, bringing together students, faculty, staff, and community members from across Abilene. The event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of honoring Black history while fostering meaningful conversations about unity, culture, and the future.
Among the student leaders helping guide the event was K’Linda Mason, a Business Marketing major with a minor in Graphic Design, and Joanie Burns, a Religion major with a minor in Psychology. Mason currently serves as the president for PAATH and Burns is the Chaplin. Through their shared leadership, the organization continues its mission of giving Black students a voice and a safe space to speak freely while building meaningful connections with the broader Black community in Abilene.
“I was not raised in a black household, so to see community members, not just African Americans, come together to celebrate, teach, and acknowledge black history [was so] beautiful,” says Mason. She shares that events like this luncheon help to foster conversations about culture, history, and the future of our society. This event in particular, has allowed students to congregate and connect through discussion and appreciation. Mason states, “McMurry has been nothing but supportive when planning this event, I brag on going to a school where I can speak my mind and celebrate my culture without being pushed aside.”
Burns also shares a compelling testimony regarding the importance of events like this on campus, stating, “I felt a sense of unity bigger than myself, and I would argue that most people in the room, regardless of the color of their skin, felt that too.” In a time where division and societal conflict are at an all-time high, Burns hopes the luncheon helped make clear that there is a distinct and strong community in Abilene that supports and stands with the people of color here on campus.
DeOri Newman Sr., the guest speaker at the luncheon, delivered a powerful sermon about resilience and purpose. Newman made it known to the receivers of his testimony that God seeks out the overlooked and marginalized and is committed to using them for His unique purposes. He emphasized that adversity does not disqualify a person’s purpose, rather, it often refines it, encouraging students to view their journeys through a lens of strength and intention. Burns shared that the reminder was both affirming and empowering, reinforcing her belief that her voice, leadership, and presence on campus matter. For Burns and many others in attendance, Newman’s words served not only as encouragement, but as a call to continue pursuing their goals with renewed confidence and clarity.
Mason also reflected on the urgency of the speaker’s message and the broader themes of unity discussed throughout the luncheon. “In America, our livelihood is being threatened. It is important for not only the community of Abilene, but Americans to unite” Mason said. Her response underscored the emotional weight of the moment and the way Newman’s words extended beyond inspiration into a call for collective responsibility.
Together, the reflections from Burns and Mason highlight how Newman’s sermon moved beyond the podium and into the hearts of those in attendance. His message did not simply affirm individual purpose; it challenged the campus community to remain connected, supportive, and intentional about building spaces where every voice, especially those historically overlooked, can be heard and valued.
It was a pleasure to attend the 4th annual Black History Month Luncheon and to hear from the remarkable students who made it possible. I left both with new knowledge and understanding of my fellow students and am so grateful for the opportunity to learn.