Student voices reflect history, identity, and the fight for the future.
Three Governors State University students were honored for their exceptional written work during the University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, held Jan. 22 at the Center for Performing Arts (CPA). The event marked the announcement of the winners of the 2026 MLK Writing Contest, a signature initiative celebrating student expression, historical reflection, and creative engagement.
The MLK Writing Contest invites students to explore African American history past, present, and future through poetry, essays, and creative writing. Designed to uplift student voices, the contest creates space for African American students to feel seen and celebrated at GovState, while also encouraging writers of all backgrounds to share their truths through revolutionary art-making and storytelling.
Sponsored by Dr. Rashida Muhammad, the contest encourages participants to reflect on the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while connecting his vision to contemporary struggles for equity, justice, and community empowerment.
“This contest creates space for students to reflect deeply and express themselves authentically,” Muhammad said. “Writing is a powerful way to honor our history while imagining a more just future.”
Contest submissions were reviewed by Dr. Phyllis West and Professor Laura White, who evaluated entries based on originality, clarity, and engagement with the contest theme.
“The winning pieces demonstrated courage, historical awareness, and emotional depth,” West said. “Students were not only reflecting on Dr. King’s legacy, but placing themselves within it.”
Professor Laura White emphasized the importance of storytelling within academic spaces.“These students are using writing to process lived experience and transform it into meaningful art,” White said. “That work is essential in both academic and cultural spaces.”
MLK Writing Contest 2026 Winners
First Place 🥇
Poem: “Layover Between Yesterday and Tomorrow”
Gail Rutherford, Undergraduate, Social Work
Second Place 🥈
Open Letter: “Working to Make the Table More Equitable”
Timotheus Gordon, Doctoral Candidate, INLD – Nonprofit
Third Place 🥉
Essay: “Community-Based Perspective”
Glenford Flowers, Undergraduate, Political Science
The winners were recognized during the MLK Breakfast program and applauded for their thoughtful engagement with the contest theme. The winning pieces are published on the Governors State University News website as part of the University’s MLK celebration coverage.
Upcoming Events
The celebration of African American voices will continue throughout February with GovState’s upcoming African American Read-In. The event invites students, faculty, and community members to engage with literature by African American authors and reflect on storytelling as a powerful tool for connection and change.
As Governors State University continues to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the MLK Writing Contest remains a meaningful platform for student expression, reflection, and hope.