Edie King-Lawrence ’12 to be Keynote Speaker at 2025 ESU MLK Celebration Breakfast

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania has selected Edie King-Lawrence '12, licensed counselor, author, educator, and speaker, to be the keynote speaker for the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Breakfast. The 28^th annual celebration honoring Dr. King is scheduled for Monday, January 20, 2025, at 8 a.m. The theme of this year's breakfast is "Dreams are what we have, when hope seems bleak, but hasn't faded." The breakfast will be held at Terraview at Stroudsmoor Country Inn.

King-Lawrence is deeply rooted in her faith and her roles as a wife, daughter, godmother, and sister. Born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, she grew up in a large family where she navigated and overcame significant economic, social, and environmental challenges. These formative experiences have shaped the unique perspective she brings to her work, allowing her to approach every role with empathy, efficacy, and relatability.

Edie holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from East Stroudsburg University in 2012 and a master's degree in clinical counseling from Eastern University in 2015. Her academic foundation has led to a fulfilling career across both the public and private sectors, where she is guided by her motto: help, heal, and serve. In 2020, King-Lawrence founded King Counseling Services, her own virtual psychotherapy practice, and authored her first book, My Peace Is Most Important. In addition, she serves as the program director for the nonprofit organization, Black Men Heal and teaches as an adjunct professor at Eastern University. Through these roles, she extends her impact beyond the therapy room, actively combating the stigma surrounding mental health within her community and the academic sphere.

Beyond her professional endeavors, King-Lawrence enjoys traveling, spending time with loved ones, losing herself in a good book, and teaching and learning line dance. She is a strong advocate for the transformative power of self-awareness and self-acceptance in achieving mental wellness. Her passion lies in empowering individuals to cultivate the courage and willingness to #DoTheWorkToBeWell.

Reservations are now being taken for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Breakfast at a cost of $45 per person, $20 per student and $450 for a table of ten. Proceeds will benefit the Mary Gertrude Smith Boddie Scholarship Fund at ESU, which provides financial assistance to undergraduate students of color. In 1904, Ms. Boddie was the first African American student to graduate from what was then known as East Stroudsburg State Normal School and ultimately became East Stroudsburg University in 1983. Reserve your seat today.

As a result of the breakfast, four Boddie Scholarship awardees will each receive a $4,165 scholarship award for the Spring 2025 semester. Scholarship winners are selected based on their ability to demonstrate, through community service work or university involvement, a commitment to Dr. King's philosophy of non-violence, equality, justice, cultural diversity, and respect for humanity.

Breakfast organizers are asking regional business organizations to consider becoming a sponsor of this community event. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, call the ESU Foundation at (570) 422-7000.

For more information about the Celebration Breakfast or for special accommodations, contact Lyesha Fleming, director for the Center for Multicultural Affairs and Inclusive Education at (570) 422-3896 or email [email protected].