By: Delaney Hayden, Assistant News Editor
On Monday, Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m., Canisius University’s Palisano Pavilion became a space for reflection, solidarity and powerful expression during the United Students Association’s (USA) freedom mic event. Organized by the Diversity Committee of USA and led by its chair, Leyla Akil, the event provided an open platform for students to share their voices and reflect on the intersection of two significant moments: Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day.
As the nation grapples with political uncertainty, the Freedom Mic event aimed to honor the legacy of Dr. King’s fight for justice and unity while addressing the complexities of today’s political climate.
In an interview with The Griffin, Akil shared that she spent much of her winter break planning the event, and sought to create a space where students could express their thoughts in a supportive environment. Supported by her friends, committee and USA, Akil worked closely with Analee DeGlopper, the executive vice president of USA, to ensure that all necessary precautions were taken, resulting in a well-organized and impactful event, which also happened to be the first event Akil put on as a student-leader.
“We wanted to create a space for students to come together, share and amplify their voices,” Akil explained, “The event honored the power of diversity and collective action while fostering meaningful connections within our campus community.”
Despite initial concerns about attendance, particularly due to the lack of typical event incentives like food or merchandise, the event drew a robust crowd with 43 registered attendees.
The focus on community and connection proved to be a powerful motivator.
The Freedom Mic event featured eight powerful performances that offered diverse perspectives.
Akil shared, “Aaron Hall shared a personal reflection incorporating Dr. King’s final speech, ‘I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,’ which deeply resonated with the audience.” She continued to discuss other performers at the event, such as Dorcus Nzayisenga who “[performed] an original poem titled ‘Together We Stand,’ [while] Lily McMenemy [reflected] on the slow, insidious nature of oppression and the dangers of complacency.”
Akil discussed how one speaker, Katia Ambarchian, had used her time on stage to “[discuss] reproductive rights and the importance of sharing power equally, particularly in conversations about sex.” All of these pieces were submitted beforehand through a submission box, ensuring a respectful and inclusive atmosphere.
Akil took time during the interview to personally thank everyone for speaking, especially because students “pushed past nerves and jitters to share their thoughts, and that courage was truly inspiring,” she said.
In addition to the performances, the event featured a poster where attendees could write encouraging messages to one another, reinforcing the importance of solidarity in challenging times.
“Since the election in November, there had been little open political discussion on campus.” Akil says that could be due to the fact that “many students were upset, scared and uncertain about the future, but there wasn’t a space to express these emotions.” She went on to say that “the Freedom Mic event provided that space – it allowed us to share our voices, uplift one another and acknowledge the current state of our country.”
Looking ahead, Akil expressed a strong interest in hosting future Freedom Mic-style events. She noted that students care deeply about issues surrounding diversity, equity and justice, and creating more spaces for these conversations could help foster a more engaged campus community.
She shared, “Given the direction of the Trump administration, I would love to host more events focused on political discourse, but I’m also open to covering other topics that students feel passionate about.”
Akil’s message to the entire Canisius community is as follows: “These next four years will be tumultuous – there’s no denying that, but let’s be there for each other.” Continuing, she added, “Let’s listen, be intentional in our actions and make time for one another. Most importantly, let’s recognize and uplift each other’s humanity.”
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