“The tradition of WCTC honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one that makes me proud... Persisting and advancing our work for an inclusive society is our answer to his call. This is what his legacy is about, and the need for advocacy to bring about change.” -- Sherry Simmons, chief Culture and Compliance officer at WCTC
PEWAUKEE, Wis., (Monday, Jan. 13, 2025) -- For many years, Waukesha County Technical College has held special MLK Day events to honor civil rights leader and activist Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and reflect on his many contributions toward racial justice, equality and peace. On Tuesday, Jan. 21, WCTC will host Spencer Paysinger, retired NFL player turned TV producer and writer, as part of its Martin Luther King Jr. Day program. (PLEASE NOTE: The event will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 21, as the College will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20, for official observance of the holiday.)
“The tradition of WCTC honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one that makes me proud,” said Sherry Simmons, chief Culture and Compliance officer at WCTC. “In the words of Dr. King, ‘If you can't fly, then run. If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.’ Persisting and advancing our work for an inclusive society is our answer to his call. This is what his legacy is about, and the need for advocacy to bring about change.”
The Jan. 21 event, which is free and open to the public and sponsored by the College’s Multicultural Engagement Center (MEC), is planned for 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the College’s main Pewaukee campus in the Anthony J. Natalizio (AJN) Center, Building S. Doors open at 10:30 a.m., with the viewing of short video, “Glory,” a buffet lunch provided by UbuntuMke, an African drumming performance by the Milwaukee chapter of Drums Up, Guns Down (DUGD), and Paysinger’s presentation, “Bridging the Great Divide: Race, Intersectionality & Substance Abuse Are ‘All American’ Issues.”
Paysinger spent seven seasons playing for three NFL teams, including the Giants, Dolphins and Panthers, before retiring in 2017 to pursue his dream of developing television and film concepts focused on the Black experience. He helped develop the concept for the sports drama, “All-American,” which is inspired by Paysinger’s own life. It focuses on a rising high school football star who aspires to play in the pros – and the experiences he had growing up in South Central Los Angeles amid the drugs, violence, gangs and poverty. “All American” is about being an outsider in two worlds, and it shows that no matter where a person is from, people all experience the same feelings of sadness, loss and sorrow.
Beyond his work in television and film projects, Paysinger has leveraged his success to create opportunities for young people through his involvements on leadership committees with the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) Public Schools, and the goal of creating programs for South Central L.A. youths.
As a storyteller, Paysinger discusses topics from educational opportunity to intersectionality and frames complex issues within a familiar and personal context that relates to the audience. WCTC is excited to welcome Paysinger to campus for the MLK Day celebration, as these events allow members of the WCTC and greater community a time for remembrance, understanding and contemplation.
>> Learn more about this event and register!