By Xavier Edwards – Staff Writer

This past Friday was a day full of Bernice King. Following in her father’s footsteps, nearly 50 years after his commencement speech and honorary degree here at Hofstra University, she hosted her own moderated talk, “A Conversation with Dr. Bernice A. King” at the John Adams Playhouse.

With that said, calling Friday night epic would be an understatement. It was more of an empowering, once-in-a-lifetime moment. As a N.O.A.H. (New Opportunities at Hofstra) student and an African-American at a prestigious institution such as Hofstra, I can proudly say I witnessed history.

Friday night not only marked 50 years of history for Dr. King, but it marked 50 years for the N.O.A.H. program here at Hofstra. Nearly a year before King’s commencement address, N.O.A.H. was born and has since provided students, like myself, with an incredible opportunity to not only attend college, but also to expand the options placed before us.

During “A Conversation with Dr. Bernice A. King,” she shed light on the current matters of race in America; she gave us an inside perspective on her life as the daughter to the icons Dr. King and Coretta Scott, her beliefs and gave students empowering advice.

Bernice has a warm energy that makes all the butterflies go away. You would think a woman of this stature would have an overwhelming presence, but instead she emulates joy and pride.

She is real, laid back and firm in who she is, what she believes in and what she means to our generation.

One of the segments during her talk discussed her life as a kid. It was refreshing to hear how normal her family was despite being placed under constant public scrutiny.

Bernice described her family as “a regular family that receives and replicates unconditional love from [their] parents and to close ones around them.” We forget that before Dr. King was an iconic figure, a preacher, a Civil Rights leader and activist, a voice of reason, he first was a father, husband, son and human.

Another highlight of Dr. Bernice King’s visit to campus was her speech during N.O.A.H.’s 50th-anniversary celebration dinner, which took place that same night.

“A part of the process of nonviolence is to know when it is time to speak. And when you do speak … speak facts,” King said. “Research, research, research and then advocate.”

She continued to explain the reason she did not speak on issues associated with the topic of race in the United States. Bernice felt people intended to use what she said on the topic and twist it around for their own gain, so instead of feeding into their ill intentions she chose to stay quiet and research the facts. This way when she did speak, it would be purely factual.

Responding is a more impactful action than reacting. Reactions stir commotion, responding stirs awareness and conversation.

Throughout the night, there was nothing but the spirit of celebration, appreciation, pride and accomplishment spread throughout the halls of Sondra and David S. Mack main dining hall.

A few of Hofstra’s powerhouse leaders were present such as President Stuart Rabinowitz, the Provost and Vice President of Academic affairs Dr. Gail Simmons, our former Provost and Dean of Frank G. Zarb School of Business, Dr. Herman Berliner and some of the N.O.A.H. faculty and alumni honorees. Rhetta I. Bell a N.O.A.H. class of ’80 alum and Ms. Sybil Mimy Johnson, a math instructor for over 28 years, former executive director and alum of N.O.A.H. class of ‘95, were also present.