With less than a few hoursâ notice, the Rev. James McCarroll delivered a powerful message to several hundred people attending the 24th annual Unity Luncheon Thursday, Feb. 20, at MTSU.
McCarrollâs 15-minute talk, titled âThe Call to Come-Unity,â shared how the local âcommunityâ can come together in unity and harmony.
âWhere There is Unity, There is Strengthâ was the theme of the 2020 Unity Luncheon, held in the Student Union Ballroom. The Unity Luncheon honors African American âunsung heroesâ who have devoted their lives to serving the Middle Tennessee community.
Yanika âNikkiâ Smith-Bartley, vice president and special counsel at Nashville-based Asurion LLC, was to bring the keynote address. However, illness prevented her from attending, so McCarroll, pastor of First Baptist Church on East Castle Street in Murfreesboro, answered the call.
âEquality only happens when we are willing to trade our present version of divisive community for a true and authentic space in which every participant is committed to heeding the call of come-unity,â McCarroll said.
âSo how do we come to a solution that will move us from inequality to equality?â McCarroll said to the audience.
âWe come to the table as equals â different positions, same power,â he added. âMake space to hear each otherâs voices. Create a space where we can sit as equals.â
âWe transition from focusing on our subcultural agendas to surrendering to the holy agenda of Godâs version of community. All are subjected to the truth of Godâs sovereignty and not any single groupâs supremacy. (And) hear and adopt the prophetic call to new community.â
Joining 121 previous Unity Luncheon honorees, this yearâs group included:
⢠Contribution to Black Arts: Phyllis Adams, Motlow State Community College speech and theatre professor
⢠Excellence in Sports: MTSU football âMod Squadâ members Edmond Miller and Raymond Bonner
⢠Advocate of Civility: Marcus S. Lucas Sr., retired human resources manager
⢠Community Service: Robbie Snapp, MTSU administrator and community volunteer
⢠Education: Leonora âMs. Boeâ Washington (posthumous), longtime Rutherford County Schools educator (Cousin Valerie Whitlow accepted on her behalf.)
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee welcomed the honorees and attendees, saying âit is an opportunity for the university to show appreciation to individuals, who, typically, donât receive attention and making a significant difference in the lives of people in this community.â
Speaking on Bartleyâs behalf, MTSU alumna Melinda Hudgins Noblitt (Class of 2007/College of Media and Entertainment) with Asurion, which has 19,000 employees, shared how âdiversity and inclusion sets us apart from others.â Asurion and MTSU are partners in a corporate engagement program.
Entertainment was provided by the Ashley Kimbrough Trio, a jazz group. Kimbrough is adjunct faculty member in the MTSU School of Music.