LEONARD MARSHALL: Two-time Super Bowl champion to speak at silver anniversary event Jan. 18. PHOTOS COURTESY OF PBSC

Staff Report

LAKE WORTH, Fla. – Leonard Marshall, the former NFL defensive lineman and New York Giants “Ring of Honor” legend, will be the keynote speaker at Palm Beach State College’s 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration being held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Duncan Theatre on PBSC’s Lake Worth campus, 4200 Congress Ave.

Tania Rogers, anchor and reporter for WPTV NewsChannel 5, will moderate the conversational-style presentation. The event is free and open to the public, but attendees are asked to RSVP at palmbeachstate.edu/MLK.

Themed “Strengthening Our Community Through Service,” the silver anniversary celebration will also recognize the contributions of community members with MLK Leadership Awards.

“MLK Day at PBSC honors Dr. King’s legacy of humanity, justice and service by recognizing the people and organizations dedicated to serving our communities in extraordinary ways,” said PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D. “As the only federal holiday designated by Congress as a National Day of Service, MLK Day helps educate and inspire future generations about Dr. King’s work and how we can each make a difference toward a more just society.”

Leonard Marshall played 10 of his 12 seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants and was a starter on the Giants teams that won Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV. He was selected three times to the Pro Bowl and twice named NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year. Born and raised in LSU Tiger Country, Marshall played college football at Louisiana State University before heading to the NFL draft in 1983. In 2022, he was inducted into the New York Giants Ring of Honor.

After football, Marshall received his MBA in finance from Seton Hall University, where he became a professor of finance and sports management, in addition to working as a registered investment adviser. Serving others has been especially important to Marshall, and he has received several awards for his charitable work. Causes vital to Marshall include autism, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), brain trauma, player safety, financial literacy, mental health awareness, cancer research and athlete development. He is recognized for his work in raising awareness of CTE in professional football players.

As part of the celebration, PBSC will spotlight its 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Awards winners, being recognized in five categories for their service and work to improve the lives of others, particularly the underserved.

Loverly Sheridan (Alumni), a 2002 PBSC graduate, is the founder of Buddy Ambassadors, an organization that promotes empathy, kindness, compassion and inclusivity in children through empowerment programs and the use of Buddy Benches.

Sherry Fletcher (Faculty/Staff), a student development advisor at Palm Beach State for over 20 years, has a long history of service with the National Council on Black American Affairs PBSC Chapter.

Barbara Cheives (Individual), president and CEO of Converge & Associates Consulting, has a record of community service that includes the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission, where she is a past chair and the current co-chair of the Community Engagement Task Force.

Charles McConnell (Student), is the president of the Student Government Association at PBSC’s Lake Worth campus. As a pastor in a movement helping people with addictions, he visits hospitals and institutions to guide and support individuals in the early stages of recovery.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County (Organization), founded in 1971, has grown to become the county’s largest, most comprehensive provider of youth services and the fifth-largest Boys & Girls Club out of 5,100 nationwide.

For other information visit palmbeachstate.edu/MLK.