Ivy Tech sets poet Sonia Sanchez as ‘Doing the Dream’ keynote speaker

KOKOMO, Ind. – Renowned poet and social activist Sonia Sanchez will serve as keynote speaker for Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo’s 2025 “Doing the Dream” events. This annual event, now in its 21^st edition, is designed to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to keep alive his commitment to justice, equity and peace within our students and our community.

“Our annual Doing the Dream, set for Feb. 6 and 7, is focused on the theme ‘The Art That Moved The Movement’ and is celebrating the art and artists who have, for generations, supported Dr. King’s vision,” said Dr. Ethan Heicher, chancellor of Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area. “We are thrilled that Sonia Sanchez, with her own legacy of more than six decades of ‘artivism,’ will be bringing her poetry and her art as keynote speaker.”

The traditional community banquet is set for Thursday, Feb. 6, in Hingst Hall on the Ivy Tech Kokomo Campus. On Friday Feb. 7, Ms. Sanchez will be participating in an “artivism” workshop with Ivy Tech students from around the state as well as a convocation for Ivy Tech Kokomo faculty, staff and students.

Tickets for the Feb. 6 banquet will go on sale Jan. 8 and will be available at this link: link.ivytech.edu/2025DoingtheDream . The event annually brings leaders from throughout the community together with the distinguished speaker to address issues of local, state and national importance. Individual tickets are $60 each and will be available until Jan. 30, unless sold out earlier. All proceeds support the Ivy Tech Kokomo “Doing the Dream” Diversity Scholarship.

Once again, Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) is speaker sponsor for the event.

As part of Doing the Dream 2025, a call has gone out for artists to submit works for inclusion in an exhibition related to the theme.

DeAndra Beard-Ingram, director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging for Ivy Tech Kokomo and chair of the Doing the Dream committee, quoted American author and filmmaker M.K. Asante in defining the artivist (artist plus activist) as one who “uses their artistic talents to fight and struggle against injustice and oppression – by any medium necessary.

“The artivist merges commitment to freedom and justice with the pen, the lens, the brush, the voice, the body and the imagination,” Asante said.

For more information on the art exhibition, contact Beard-Ingram at dbeard47@ivytech.edu .

Beard-Ingram noted that Ivy Tech is privileged to bring an artist of the caliber of Ms. Sanchez to Kokomo.

Sanchez is an oft-honored poet, educator, columnist, dramatist and essayist, the author of more than 20 books and plays. For more than 60 years, she has helped to redefine American culture and politics as an activist in the Black, women’s and peace movements. Maya Angelou called Ms. Sanchez “a lion in literature’s forest” while spoken word artist Bryonn Bain credits her with paving the way for his generation. Ms. Sanchez revolutionized poetry by incorporating a unique performance style and collaborations with jazz musicians.

Her lengthy list of honors includes the 2022 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, the 2001 Robert Frost Medal, The 2004 Harper Lee Award, and the National Visionary Leadership Award for 2005. She has lectured at more than 500 universities and colleges in the United States and has traveled extensively, reading her poetry in Africa, Cuba, England, the Caribbean, Australia, Europe, Nicaragua, the People’s Republic of China, Norway and Canada.

Ivy Tech Kokomo’s “Doing the Dream: A Cultural Celebration” has been an annual event for the community and local students designed to embrace and celebrate cultural diversity as expressed by Dr. King. “Over the last 20 years, we estimate more than 30,000 people – school children, high school and college students, teachers and faculty members, religious and civic leaders, and community members – have participated in ‘Doing the Dream’ activities,” Heicher said.