In honor of the life of Martin Luther King Jr., Northern Michigan University planned to host Agyei Tyehimba, president of the Student African American Society at Syracuse University, whose mission is to “eliminate ignorance to empower the people.” The event was cancelled due to airline delays.

This evening, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, NMU will host rap artist and motivational speaker Quest M.C.O.D.Y, whose speech is titled “Finding Your Light.” The speech is hosted by the Multicultural Education and Resource Center (MERC). The public is invited to attend this event free of charge from 6-7 p.m. in Pioneer Room A of the University Center.

“The news of Agyei’s flight delay came unexpectedly. We are disappointed, but these things happen in life, and it’s alright because we plan on rescheduling him sometime in February for Black History Month,” said Rae’kheal Alexander, member of MERC and graduate student in individualized studies, specializing in family, youth and community development.

Alexander invited Tyehimba and Quest to speak because they spread inspiring messages.

“I invited Quest because he’s preformed here before. He has talked about the problems he’s overcome, and I think he is ready to shine and wants to share the light,” Alexander said.

After a near fatal accident that killed members of his family, Quest’s creed has been to live life to the fullest, Alexander said.

“He tells you to be confident in your life and accept who you are,” she said.

Alexander said because Quest was invited to interview with Radio X, there had been a request for a clean or edited copy of his album, “The Light Project.”

“I asked if he would send me a clean CD. He responded, ‘All my CDs are clean,'” Alexander said. “His songs are not about cars, money, and girls. The songs are about believing in yourself,” she said.

Quest will talk about the positive aspects of his life and motivate others to have self-confidence by sharing his story of struggle.

“Even though he wasn’t billed as it, Quest is a motivational speaker. He tells you to be proud of who you are and to be real, to not be what you think people want you to be,” Alexander said.

Quest uses more than just his music to inspire people; he uses a web site that he helped create, mylightproject.com.

“Mylightproject.com is where people can share their stories of success or get help and encouragement toward achieving their goals,” Alexander said.

Quest has worked with 50 Cent, Lil’ Wayne, Kanye West, Eminem, and the Wu-Tang Clan.