By Sarah Ficca and Babz Rawls Ivy
On January 29, 2026, community warmth filled the Sheffield-Sterling-Strathcona Hall (SSS) in New Haven, as people gathered to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s event titled, “Repairing the Record, Building Connection,” featured US Army Col. (Ret.) Edna W. Cummings was the keynote speaker and was free and open to the public to attend or join via livestream. This event continues a university tradition of honoring the late civil rights leader, who received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at Yale in 1964.
As the sun set and a harsh chill set-in outdoors, attendees mingled at the iconic Neo-Gothic interiors, finding comfort in the camaraderie of the crowd. Doors opened at 5:30 pm, and by 6 pm the hall was abuzz with hugs, handshakes, and connections old and new. The ceremony commenced with an open welcome from Yale Secretary and Vice President for University Life, Kimberly M. Geoff-Cruz.
A heartfelt performance from the a cappella group Shades of Yale got the audience up out of their seats, tossing off winter coats and scarves, and standing and swaying to the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Children in the audience stood tip-toe to catch a glimpse, while people hummed along and then cheered after the collective chorus of “We Shall Overcome”.
Col. Edna W. Cummings took the podium after a warm introduction from co-chair of the 2026 Yale and New Haven MLK Commemoration Committee Maurice L. Harris. Col. Cummings, a trailblazer with a 25-year military career, shared stories about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (the “Six Triple Eight”), the only Women’s Army Corps unit of all-Black women andwomen-of-color deployed overseas during World War II, and whose story was almost lost from our nation’s memory. She emphasized the importance of telling the truth about our past and connected key quotes from documents of America’s founding with Dr. King’s vision.
After her keynote address, Col. Cummings sat down for a warm conversation with New Haven radio host, The Inner-City News Editor and philanthropist Babz Rawls-Ivy. The discussion ranged from the ice-cold weather to current affairs, to personal history. Cummings discussed her family’s history, the challenges of being a pioneering African American woman in the military, being a widow with two children, the important role Black newspapers played in repairing the record of the Six Triple Eight, and the resonant impact of the history of Black Americans in the military. In addition to her work surfacing the stories of the Six Triple Eight, Col. Cummings told the audience there are many more historical heroes whose stories she is working to surface.
Persistence, heritage, and the vital role of community support were the messages to the audience. Col. Cummings and Rawls-Ivy underscored the power of introspection and service, encouraging attendees to remain focused on their passions and help others to strengthen communal bonds. Rawls-Ivy asked Col. Cummings to “say something encouraging to this group, who is under it right now with the cold weather, economics, politics.” Col. Cummings said she learned in the military “Ignore the chatter… stay focused on your purpose and passion…” Col. Cummings final words of wisdom were “When you are feeling bad, do something good for someone else.” This sentiment of service is a tribute not only to Dr. King but to all who practice his teachings through action and compassion.
Special thanks were extended to the partners and organizers, including the 2026 Yale & New Haven MLK Commemoration Committee, Yale Office of the Secretary and Vice President for University Life, Yale College Dean’s Office, and Yale Schwarzman Center, for their dedication in bringing this event to fruition.
Sarah Ficca is the Marketing Manager at Yale Schwarzman Center and serves on the Board of Directors of the New Haven Democracy Fund.
Photos: Allie Barton and Dori Dumas