Students at Ohio’s only public HBCU, Central State University in Wilberforce, and sister college Wilberforce University, the nation’s oldest private historically black college, are ready to come together for the annual march to honor the late Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday (Jan. 20).

The event commemorates the “Civil Rights Movement: The Power of Community” and is sponsored by the Delta Xi Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. King was a member of the fraternity, pledging as a young graduate student at Boston University and was pursuing his Doctorate of Philosophy degree. He also graduated from HBCU Morehouse College in Atlanta.

Students will meet at the Sunken Garden at 9:30 am on the yard at Central State and then trek to downtown Xenia at the courthouse.

At the end of the march Bro. Rev. JD Covington will speak at the courtyard gathering.

Following the event will be a community service celebrating King’s life.

Follow Tommy G. Meade Jr. on Twitter @tommygmeadejr