WNBA legend Chamique Holdsclaw headlines annual event honoring Dr. King
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Ivy Tech Kokomo hosted its annual Doing the Dream event on Feb. 6, marking the 22nd year of a program dedicated to honoring and advancing the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. What began more than two decades ago has grown into one of the community’s most meaningful celebrations of leadership, service, and perseverance.
The event has come a long way since its very first gathering, held at Kokomo High School and featuring Melba “Little 9” Pattillo Beals as the inaugural guest speaker. Since that time, organizers have consistently chosen honorees who embody Dr. King’s vision through their lives and work, making Doing the Dream both a reflection on the past and a call to action for the present.
This year’s featured speaker was Chamique Holdsclaw, widely known during her playing days as the “female Michael Jordan.” Holdsclaw won three national championships at the University of Tennessee under legendary Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt, captured four New York state high school championships, and enjoyed an illustrious 11-year career in the WNBA.
Holdsclaw spoke candidly about the immense pressure that followed her from an early age, sharing that she had been in the public eye since she was 11 years old because of her extraordinary talent. She described how years of expectations eventually took a toll on her mental health, leading to a personal crisis marked by isolation and suicidal thoughts. Through her transparency, Holdsclaw emphasized the importance of mental health awareness, recognizing warning signs, and using language that does not minimize a person’s struggles. Today, she travels nationally and internationally advocating for mental wellness and healing.
The evening also included recognition of the 2026 Doing the Dream Scholarship recipients: Dallas Baldwin, a Rochester native; and Jaden Barnes of Kokomo. Their achievements and potential were celebrated as examples of the dream continuing through the next generation.
Adding to the significance of the night were former Kokomo Lady Kats basketball players and two-time state champions which included Misty Oliver, a star player at that time, who attended to support and hear Holdsclaw. The room was filled with community leaders, dignitaries, and local and state politicians, underscoring the event’s importance.
The Doing the Dream speaker sponsor was NIPSCO, a NiSource company. Additional contributors included the City of Kokomo, Coca-Cola, Ascension, Community First, Community Howard, Duke Energy, IU Kokomo, Rozzy’s Catering, Solidarity, Silver Birch, Sam’s Club, the Kokomo Common Council, and a grant from the Community Foundation through the William and Sharon Bassett Youth Fund.
With thoughtful programming, inspiring voices, and strong community support, Ivy Tech’s Doing the Dream continues to honor Dr. King’s legacy in powerful and meaningful ways.