Monique Coleman first learned about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in elementary school.
“I remember being so inspired and also really sad — not just because of how he died but because I wanted to make a difference and was convinced that he had already said all the best things a person could say,” Coleman told attendees at Bryant University’s 12th annual MLK Legacy Dinner on February 12.
Coleman, best known for her role as Taylor McKessie in High School Musical, is an award-winning actress, producer, host, and humanitarian. In addition to her on-screen roles, Coleman served as a Youth Champion for the United Nations and founded “Gimme Mo” — a television series exposing issues that young people face and offering insight and resources for support. She’s found that MLK’s words have permeated her spirit and guided her throughout life.
“Many of us may be fighting for things we will not necessarily see in our lifetime, just like Dr. King,” Coleman said. “There are some doors we're going to open that we may not get to walk through, so know that every step you're taking is making a difference.”
Role of resilience
Opening Bryant’s MLK Legacy Dinner with a welcome from the Multicultural Student Union (MSU) Vice President Joseph Lopez ’25 and remarks from Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students and Chief Diversity Officer Inge-Lise Ameer, Ed.D., MSU member Vanessa Munoz ’28 and Student Programming Board President Kyra Sette ’25 took a moment to remember and honor MLK.
“As a first-generation Mexican American, I am proud to advocate for those who are still fighting for equality, the struggle of representation, and the challenge of standing up in spaces where people like me have historically been overlooked,” said Munoz. “Dr. King's belief in the power of dialogue, activism, advocacy, equality, and unity has given me the confidence to step into leadership roles and actively work toward inclusion.”
With David Okonkwo ’27 introducing Coleman and inviting her to the George E. Bello Center’s stage, the evening’s keynote speaker shared her story of growing up in South Carolina where she was raised by a single mom. Referencing experiences of bullying and microaggressions from her grade school years, Coleman discussed pursuing a career in the arts from a young age and navigating Los Angeles’ entertainment scene after moving out west following college. Struggling to make it for several years, Coleman worked a variety of day jobs and got several small roles before landing High School Musical.
“When I read the role of Taylor McKessie, I saw my nieces, I saw my god sisters, and I saw myself,” Coleman said, noting that her character broke barriers of representation on TV. “Up until that point, I was always playing the sassy Black girl. To be the smartest girl in school was revolutionary at that time, and it means the world to know that this character got to represent so much more than just a role.”
With MLK being a guiding light in her life, Coleman recalled three powerful lessons she’d learned from him: Stand firm in your purpose, choose love over fear, and keep moving forward.
She noted that MLK was not just a leader but a force. As a man who stood against impossible odds and still chose to rise to love, his legacy reminds individuals that resilience isn't just about surviving hardship; it's about how to respond to it, grow through it, and keep showing up.
“Dr. King's resilience wasn't just about changing the world. It was about showing us that we have the power to do the same,” Coleman said.
Messages that carry
After Coleman’s speech, student moderators Olivia Hernandez ’25 and MSU President Andrea Cortez ’25 asked Coleman a series of questions during the event’s Q&A portion. Topics spanned everything from the evolution of diversity and inclusion within the entertainment industry to the role storytelling plays in continuing MLK's work for fostering unity and equality.
Cortez later presented Coleman with the MLK Award — followed by Melissa Calixte ’26, co-president of Black Women’s Blueprint, reciting a poem reflecting MLK’s legacy.
Offering advice to attendees, Coleman encouraged individuals to use their voice, be loud, and — most importantly — to listen.
“Sometimes we are more focused on making our point than understanding where other people are coming from. Finding lanes of mutual understanding and trying to understand where someone else is coming from, even if you don't agree with them entirely, is a stronger position to take than immediately being defensive,” Coleman said.
