Martin Luther King Day Faculty/Staff Gathering

Thursday, January 15, 2026 10:50 AM

George Shinn Event Center

The Lipscomb University community will celebrate the Legacy and Impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at a special gathering of faculty and staff. 

 

The theme for this year’s event will be drawn from these words from Dr. King’s Strength to Love sermon, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” During this sermon, Dr. King focused on the themes of healing, moral courage and reconciliation. The service will include a guest speaker, reflections from faculty, staff and students and a performance by Lipscomb’s Chorale. 

 

Metro Nashville Police Department Chief of Police John Drake is the featured guest speaker. Drake began his law enforcement career in his hometown of Nashville, as a police officer in 1988, and continues to dedicate himself to the safety of Nashville’s families and visitors.

 

He was promoted to sergeant in February 2007 and continued to be promoted to other leadership positions in the department, including commander of the Central Precinct, deputy chief over the Support Services Bureau and deputy chief over of the Community Services Bureau.

 

On Nov. 30, 2020, he was appointed MNDP’s 8th chief of police. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the College of Public Service at Bethel University. We are delighted to have Chief Drake share his insights on the theme.