Speaker brings back the teachings of MLK to BCU, kick starting Black History Month.

Bringing action from the past to present, Sioux City’s first community Inclusion Liaison, Semehar Ghebrekidan spoke Thursday night to Briar Cliff University students on how she ties her work to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachings and how the community can keep moving King’s message forward. 

“‘You can kill the dreamer, but you can’t kill the dream,’” said Ghebrekidan, quoting King. Growing up, she was encouraged to follow her dreams in the hope that they would inspire others. “Something very important I learned throughout his journey is that not only was he a scholar, but he was someone who did the ‘thing.’ He didn’t just talk the talk; he walked the walk.” 

Originally from Sioux Falls, SD, Ghebrekidan described how growing up with Ethiopian and Eritrean parents put her in multiple circumstances of racism within her community. She witnessed these acts as she continued her education at South Dakota State University and wanted to make a difference. She said if she was the only person to speak up about an uncomfortable situation, she would, not just for herself, but for the people around her.  

“It only takes one voice at the right pitch to start an avalanche,” said Ghebrekidan. During her time there, she started the multicultural group where she began the movement ‘I, Too, Am SDState,’ to draw attention to the microaggressions that happen on college campuses.

“I think that getting Semehar’s perspective on how to speak out about microaggressions, and how to handle situations could potentially be useful for students here as we continue to build a caring community,” said Anna Stokes, an academic and financial navigator at Briar Cliff. 

After six years at SDSU, Ghebrekidan obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies and a Master of Sociology degree. Her passion for creating more inclusion and diversity is what led her to where she is today. Ghebrekidan serves as the point of contact, providing support for individuals with concerns about equality and inclusion in the local government. 

During Ghebrekidan’s speech, she told students it’s important for them to be involved in the community, “it’s important to be uncomfortable, to reach out and find folks who aren’t like you because you learn a lot more. Put your foot out there, it’s going to be cold at first, but it’ll be okay later.” 

“‘Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability but comes through continuous struggle,’” said Ghebrekidan, quoting King. As of 2023, 37% of the student body at Briar Cliff is comprised of minority students, Ghebrekidan showed during her speech that change is possible if people don’t give up when situations get tough. 

Semehar Ghebrekidan speaking in front of BCU faculty and students.