HOUGHTON — For 33 years, Michigan Technological University has honored Dr. Martin Luther King with a day of service and program reflecting on his legacy.

The event is organized by Tech’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers and the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. Due to the pandemic, the event again took place virtually. This year’s keynote speaker was Tsitsi Hungwe, a 2012 Michigan Tech graduate with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. Hungwe, who now works as a dentist, said she had decided to pursue a career in dentistry due to exposure to the field and receiving encouragement.

In both her schooling and career, Hungwe said, she has strived to emulate King’s principle of excellence. She has also made a point of celebrating her accomplishments and reminding herself daily that “I am somebody.” That affirmation has helped her succeed in a field where the paucity of Black people — about 4%, she said — could otherwise be discouraging.

“I’ve always seen that as an opportunity to really step into new spaces and to shine, and so with that comes me feeling empowered that as I’m going to different spaces, that I have the opportunity to provide diverse perspectives, and to also provide a reflection for whether it’s my patients or people that I encounter,” she said.

Asked for advice for young black girls struggling with self-assurance, Hungwe said the first step is “knowing who you are.” If people think negative thoughts about themselves often enough, they come to believe they’re true, she said.

“There will not be another person like you ever,” she said. “So I want you to remember that, that that gives you a sense of empowerment, that you’re in this world for a purpose, and you are in this world as a contributor.”

During the pandemic, Hungwe has discovered a larger purpose: inspiring and equipping future leaders. Those realizations came from her own struggles as a student In her attempts to complete her boards as a dentist in 2016, she had to take the three board exams a total of 10 times.

“My purpose has come from the experiences that I have had, positive and negative,” she said. “So I encourage you to perhaps see if perhaps your purpose may be hidden within your experiences that you’ve had, whether positive or the pain of your past. That could be your power.”

Monday’s program also marked the opening of the “I Have a Dream” exhibit in the Van Pelt and Opie Library, which features artwork from MTU students. The exhibit will be up for the next week.