Ivy Tech Kokomo to Host 21st Annual ‘Doing the Dream’ Celebration with Poet Sonia Sanchez

By HEIDI PRUITT

For The Kokomo Post

Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo will host its 21st annual “Doing the Dream” celebration on Feb. 6 and 7, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the theme, "The Art That Moved the Movement."

The event will feature keynote speaker Sonia Sanchez, renowned poet, activist and cultural icon whose six decades of “artivism” have influenced generations.

The celebration kicks off with a community banquet on Thursday at Ivy Tech’s Hingst Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., allowing attendees to explore a curated art exhibit inspired by the theme.

The exhibit features works from students, local artists and professionals, many of which will be available for silent auction.

2024 “Doing the Dream” speaker Dr. Monique Couvson.
TKP Photo | Heidi Pruitt

Proceeds from the evening support the Ivy Tech Kokomo “Doing the Dream” Diversity Scholarship.

“This year, we’re really focusing on engaging students more deeply,” said DeAndra Beard-Ingram, director of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging at Ivy Tech Kokomo.

“The banquet is about community, but we wanted to create an immersive experience this year—something more than just coming to dinner. The art exhibit invites everyone to be part of the movement and see how art has driven change,” she said.

On Friday, different professionals will lead an “artivism” workshop for students from Ivy Tech and other institutions across Indiana. The workshop combines visual art, music, movement and writing to explore how creativity can drive activism.

Students will attend two of four interactive sessions led by teaching artists, culminating in a panel discussion featuring Sanchez and the artists.

“We have students registering from across the state—not just from Ivy Tech but also from schools like Anderson University, Butler, and IU,” Beard-Ingram said. “It’s exciting to see this kind of participation. We wanted to make sure students get the message that they can have an impact on society, no matter where they are in life.”

Sanchez, whose groundbreaking work fuses poetry with jazz and other musical forms, has been a key figure in the civil rights movement and a profound influence on modern culture, including hip-hop.

“Her influence is so profound that people don’t even realize they’re mimicking her,” Beard-Ingram said. “She’s an originator in so many ways, and her work has inspired everything from conscious hip-hop to spoken word.”

Beard-Ingram emphasized the importance of Sanchez’s presence at the event.

“When someone who has been on this earth just short of 100 years shows up in your community, we should pause,” she said. “Whatever your background, wherever you come from, you should sit at her feet and listen to her wisdom. She knows what to do, and she’s been everybody’s instructor.”

The "Doing the Dream" event has evolved over the years, reflecting a commitment to creating meaningful experiences that inspire action.

“Our goal is to move beyond conversations and planning,” Beard-Ingram said. “It’s time to get up from the table, put your feet to the ground and figure it out. You don’t have to ‘arrive’ to make an impact. Wherever you are, you can do something to address injustice and inequities.”

Beard-Ingram said she looks forward to seeing the intergenerational exchange between Sanchez and the students. “Seeing that spark in their eyes, that moment when they realize they can be part of something bigger—it’s powerful,” she said.

Tickets are selling quickly, make sure to grab your spot now by clicking here.