The public is invited to Florida Tech’s annual commemoration of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 at Gleason Performing Arts Center on the university’s Melbourne campus.
Join the Florida Tech Office of Advancement, the Florida Tech Alumni Association and the Black Student Union for this uplifting gathering. It is scheduled to include a live rendition of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, musical performances, powerful speakers and an awards ceremony highlighting two outstanding community members.
The event is free to attend, but registration is requested.
The keynote address will be delivered by Ramone Hemphill, Sr., an engineer for the past 20 years and Florida Tech alum who has been an advocate for connecting young people to opportunities in aviation and aerospace through his 99th Squadron nonprofit.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science from North Carolina A&T State University, Hemphill began his career developing flight deck simulators for commercial aviation platforms at Rockwell Collins. He went on to Honda Aircraft Company and later continued building flight experience across subsequent career moves to BendixKing/Honeywell and Moog Aircraft Group. He is currently leading a team of engineers and managers at Northrop Grumman.
In 2020, Hemphill founded the 99th Squadron Inc. Since then, the organization has served over 2,300 children, provided flights to more than 550 people and convened up to 10 events annually. A 2022 MBA graduate from Florida Tech, he also serves on the board of the university’s Alumni Association.
Another highlight of the evening will be the bestowing of awards. Benjamin Cain will receive the Dr. Julius Montgomery Pioneer Award, and Rodney Greene will receive the Rev. Harvey L. Riley Bridge Builder Award.
The Montgomery Award is named for the late Dr. Julius Montgomery, the first African American student to enroll at Florida Tech who, in 1956, became the first African American professional to work for the United States’ nascent space program. His namesake award is presented each year to a deserving candidate to honor his or her commitment and contributions to their community.
For more than three decades, in words and deeds, 2026 Pioneer Award recipient Benjamin Cain has supported his community. He earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from Florida A&M University, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University and a diploma in theology from Life Christian University. He also holds a Florida Department of Financial Services Certification.
From ensuring thousands of subscribers receive their daily newspaper as distribution manager for Florida Today/USA Today and strengthening the minds of young people as a Brevard Public Schools Exceptional Education Teacher to bringing peace of mind to residents as a health and life insurance professional, Cain has championed community engagement and empowerment.
Additionally, Cain is the founder, owner and publisher of Ebony News Today, Investing in Your Health Today and the Ebony News Today TV Streaming Network Expansion.
The Rev. Harvey L. Riley Bridge Builder Award recognizes success in community activism and improvement. As president of Brevard Veterans Coalition, 2026 recipient Rodney Greene brings to this leadership role his experiences as a U.S. Army combat veteran and challenges with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the Veterans Administration that ensued.
After serving in Operation Desert Storm with the renowned 1st Infantry Division and returning statewide, Greene struggled through years of personal hardships while rebuilding his life. Determined to seek healing, he worked his way through the complexities of the VA system to access the care he needed.
That experience and the invaluable knowledge he gained of veteran resources, benefits and support pathways would go on to shape Greene’s mission as a veterans’ advocate operating under the credo, “If you serve, you deserve.” They also made him the perfect choice to lead Brevard Veterans Coalition, the nonprofit, 100% volunteer organization that assists veterans with VA claims, housing, medical appointments and more.
As president, Greene has strengthened partnerships across civic, faith-based and veteran organizations; expanded resource access; and championed programs such as A Night of Honor and outreach initiatives for underserved and at-risk veterans.
