Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo’s 2025 “Doing the Dream" Community Banquet

This is the 21st year Ivy Tech Kokomo has presented “Doing the Dream” events designed to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s theme, “The Art That Moved the Movement,” is celebrating the art and artists who have, for generations, supported Dr. King’s commitment to justice, equity and peace. As the personification of such “artivists,” Ms. Sanchez will be sharing readings and commentary from her more than 60 years as an esteemed poet, educator, columnist, dramatist and essayist. Tickets for the Feb. 6 banquet are $60 each and will be available until Jan. 30, unless sold out earlier. To purchase tickets, go to: link.ivytech.edu/2025DoingtheDream or contact Miriam Thomas, Ivy Tech Kokomo resource development director, at mlthomas@ivytech.edu or 765-252-5500. 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 banquet, which annually brings leaders from throughout the community together with a distinguished speaker to address issues of local, state and national importance. DeAndra Beard-Ingram, director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging for Ivy Tech Kokomo and chair of the Doing the Dream committee, noted that Ivy Tech is privileged to bring to Kokomo an artist of the caliber of Ms. Sanchez. Over more than six decades as an activist in the Black, women’s and peace movements, Ms. Sanchez is credited with helping to redefine American culture and politics and revolutionizing 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.