Jan. 17, 2024

Sybrina Fulton, Mother of Trayvon Martin, Delivers Powerful Messages of Activism during Ferris State University Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Highlighting Ferris State University’s 38th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration was a guest appearance by Sybrina Fulton, an author, activist and founder of The Trayvon Martin Foundation on Wednesday, Jan. 17.

Following the annual Freedom March through campus, Fulton answered questions in an interview format in front of an audience that included students, faculty, staff and community members. After a formal question-and-answer session, Fulton fielded audience questions, where she continued to address topics such as being kind to one another, the role of education, true activism, overcoming grief and more. Since the 2012 death of her son, Trayvon Martin, during a violent confrontation, Fulton has dedicated her life to inspiring as many people as possible to push social change, speaking as a voice for concerned parents and other citizens nationwide.

Fulton co-authored the book Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin with Tracy Martin, Trayvon’s father and a community activist. In the book, published in 2017, Fulton and Martin share the personal story of Trayvon’s shortened life and his death, which sparked a nationwide movement.

A Miami, Florida native, Fulton graduated from Florida Memorial University with a bachelor’s degree in English. She worked for the Miami-Dade County Housing Development Agency for 25-plus years and is a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Miami Gardens.

Ferris State’s 2024 MLK Celebration has highlighted activism and social justice to engage students, faculty, staff, and community members.