On Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, E2CCB’s Board Member Sylvester Cleary took the stage in Rosch Recital Hall and spoke out at SUNY Fredonia’s Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute event.
Cleary’s address was part of a week-long campus series that brought students, faculty, staff, and other community members together to reflect and celebrate the life, legacy, and meaningful efforts of Martin Luther King Jr. in creating a better world of peace and unity.
The event strived to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a day to bring everyone together as a community, to acknowledge his work as a civil rights leader, and share other stories on how we can continue to uphold the values and responsibilities of equality.
Sylvester Cleary said “The greatest thing I learned about education, I can put into you in five words — and I have learned it from talking to and listening to students and that is: There is greatness in you.”
Also present alongside Cleary at this event were: Interim Senior Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at SUNY, System Administration, Dr. Christa Grant; SUNY Fredonia President, Dr. Stephen H. Kolison; and SUNY Fredonia alumnus, advocate, and speaker who led the Keynote Address, Frank S. Williams.
An integral and beloved member of the E2CCB Board of Education, Cleary received a Partnership Award from Co-Chair, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at SUNY Fredonia, Dr. Vicki T. Sapp, who said “This is the Partnership Award with deepest gratitude. We honor and value our partnership to support these initiatives through the commitment of Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation to help advance Dr. King’s enduring legacy of justice, equity, and community engagement.”
Sylvester Cleary leaves the audience with a final and important message to the future of students and of our community and said “If we don’t stand up for something, we’ll fall for anything. Please whatever you do students, in your years to come stand up for the truth. Stand up for each other. Stand up for this country that we all love, but it only works for us if we continue to be involved.”
He reminds us to continue to speak out against injustice, stand up for what is right, and join together as a community. Together, we can continue to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, by calling to action and not being afraid to speak out.
