NPHC honors MLK Day with day of service

In honor of a man who spent his life redefining the face of American Civil Rights, the University of Southern Mississippi National Pan-Hellenic Council hosted a community-wide day of service on Monday, the federal holiday set aside to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Southern Miss Greeks started their day with an Interracial and Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast at Jackie Dole Sherrill Community Center in Hattiesburg and followed up with community service projects throughout the day across the city.

“We wanted to enhance our outreach in the community and also include all members of the NPHC,” said Candace Pickett, Vice President of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and philanthropy chair for the NPHC executive board.

Pickett organized three events that were interested in participating with this day of remembrance.

“The MLK prayer breakfast was hosted by the Mu Gamma Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.,” Pickett said.

The Mount Zion Baptist Church also hosted a breakfast, and there was another service project at Edwards Street Food Pantry.

Representatives from each NPHC chapter were dispersed to volunteer at the three venues. Pickett estimated that there were a total of 76 organizations participating throughout the service day.

“I am extremely proud because this is my first major project holding the position of philanthropy chair,” Pickett said. “I believe that in the future we will continue to enhance and innovate this MLK Day of service.”

Pickett added that MLK day is a day that individuals strive to live up to their founding purposes, which includes service to others.

“This was also a great networking and bonding opportunity for Greeks and Non-Greeks,” Pickett said.

Jazmyne Butler was one of the representatives chosen from her sorority. Participating in the Day of Service was a great experience for her.

“We are unified as NPHC at Southern Miss to give back,” Butler said. “We commemorate this day with service and reflect on our growth as a community.” 

Butler said that everyone in attendance was privileged to be part of such wonderful service organizations.

“I truly believe that we must be humble stewards over what we’ve been given,” Butler said.

The day of service was a time for NPHC leaders to get together and recognize why they serve as leaders: for the betterment of their chapters and as individuals.