USCA and Aiken Tech unite the community to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy

The University of South Carolina Aiken and Aiken Technical College came together on Feb. 8 to host the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration, bringing students, educators and community leaders together in the Convocation Center to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The event underscored USCA’s commitment to civic engagement, diversity and student leadership, while fostering meaningful dialogue across institutions and the broader Aiken community. Attendees gathered to reflect on Dr. King’s enduring message and to hear from keynote speaker Cecil Williams, an acclaimed photographer, author and founder of the South Carolina Civil Rights Museum.

“South Carolina did not have a civil rights museum until 2019. My wife, my sister and I pulled together some money, and we started what is now the first and only civil rights museum in the state,” Williams said.  

Williams shared his powerful firsthand experiences documenting the civil rights movement in South Carolina, highlighting the often-overlooked role of students in driving social change. He emphasized that Dr. King believed progress has always been fueled by the courage, patience and determination of young people, encouraging USCA and Aiken Tech students to see themselves as leaders shaping the future.

At 18 years old, Williams became the youngest correspondent to photograph for Jet Magazine, capturing historic moments and iconic figures such as Dr. King and Thurgood Marshall. During his remarks, he displayed a collection of his photographs, offering a visual journey through the movement and reinforcing the importance of preserving history as a tool for education and inspiration.

The celebration also highlighted USCA’s dedication to student achievement and advocacy. K–12 students from across the Aiken area were recognized for poster and essay submissions reflecting on Dr. King’s legacy, reinforcing the event’s emphasis on youth voices and community involvement.

Among the honorees was USCA junior August Beltran, a double major in psychology and Spanish, who received the Human and Civil Rights Champion Award for her leadership in founding the Diversity Advocates student organization.

“Receiving the award feels like an ‘I made it’ moment, not only for myself but for those who fought before me,” Beltran said. “It affirmed that the work we’re doing at USCA matters and that we are part of a community committed to building a better future.”

Beltran also described the celebration as deeply moving, noting that Williams’ message resonated with her as a student advocate. His reminder that meaningful change is lifelong, she said, reinforced the idea that progress does not have to be complete by graduation to be impactful.”

A full recap of the event is available online, and local media outlets, including News 12 and The Post and Courier, also covered the celebration.

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