As communities across the nation wrestle with how to foster diversity and equity today, Metropolitan State University of Denver will once again bring together campus and community members to examine how the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of justice and belonging continues to shape the work ahead at its annual MLK Peace Breakfast.

That conversation will be anchored by Georgia State Rep. Park Cannon, whose career has been shaped by a commitment to democratic access, social justice and community-driven policymaking. Cannon has emerged as a powerful voice on issues including voting rights, healthcare access and protections for marginalized communities — work that reflects King’s insistence on challenging systems that perpetuate inequality.

Elected to the Georgia House of Representatives at age 24, Cannon brings experience at the intersection of grassroots advocacy and public service, offering a perspective rooted in accountability to community and moral clarity in leadership.

“The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called on each of us to participate in shaping a more just society,” said Michael Benitez, Ph.D., vice president for Diversity and Inclusion at MSU Denver. “Representative Park Cannon’s work reflects that call through policy and through her willingness to lead with courage, integrity and accountability to community. Her voice reminds us that democracy is strongest when people are engaged, informed and unafraid to speak up.”

Held each January since 1992, the MLK Peace Breakfast brings together students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to honor King’s life and leadership while creating space for dialogue about how his vision of justice, nonviolence and civic responsibility can be carried forward today. This year’s gathering will focus on the role of engaged leadership and collective action in advancing equity and strengthening democratic participation.

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In addition to the keynote address, the event includes the presentation of the MLK Peace Awards, which recognize members of the MSU Denver and greater Denver communities whose work advances peace, inclusion and social justice.

This year’s award recipients:

Nathan Cadena is a dedicated advocate for educational equity with decades of experience spanning community colleges, universities and nonprofit leadership. As chief impact officer of the Denver Scholarship Foundation, he leads a committed team in expanding college access and scholarship opportunities for thousands of first-generation students, students of color and limited-income students.

MSU Denver alumna Janet Damon has spent over 25 years as a dedicated educator and advocate for urban youth. She has been recognized as 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year and a 2026 Horace Mann Award recipient. She integrates mindfulness, art and advocacy into her classroom to help students overcome the impacts of poverty and trauma.

Nhi Dang serves as an associate director focused on cultural-identity programs at MSU Denver, where she is deeply committed to advancing equity and holistic student success within higher education. Dang creates transformative spaces that foster a sense of belonging for students and is a leader in organizing identity-based programming including Latino, Black and Asian Pacific Islander heritage celebrations and elevates diverse voices across campus.