Ashland University Holds Inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation

Ashland University held its inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation on Jan. 21. The event, which was free and open to the public, was held in Ashland University’s Jack and Deb Miller Chapel, located on the corner of King Road and College Avenue.

The convocation featured special music rendered by students and staff who are participants in the Martin Luther King Jr. One Church experience. The keynote address was given by The Rev. Dr. Larry L. Macon Sr., who is an alumnus of Ashland Theological Seminary.

Macon is the founder of Larry Macon Ministries and the senior pastor of Mt. Zion of Oakwood Village, which is located outside of Cleveland. He has distinguished himself as the first to build a new mega church complex on 16 acres in the Greater Cleveland area. He is also a distinguished leader of pastors and churches throughout the Greater Cleveland area through the group, United Pastors in Mission, and served as its former president.

Dr. Macon is an assistant professor of religion at the Cleveland State University and specializes in the religious ethics of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Cleveland State University as well as a master of religion and doctor of ministry, from Ashland Theological Seminary. In addition, he recently received an honorary doctorate of divinity from St. Thomas Christian College.

He is the accomplished author of “Disciplining the African American Male,” “Messages for Modern Times,” “Then They Shall Fast!” and “The Black Church At Its Best” and makes it his purpose to minister to the entire family.