BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — A snowy march to Ferris State University's Business Building was the lead-up to the school's Martin Luther King Jr. Day special guest speaker.
"I believe that she's an impact," said Jahlyn Winns who went to the school's special guest conversation.
17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed in Sanford Florida by community watchman George Zimmerman in 2012.
His mother, Sybrina Fulton, stopped by FSU to talk with students about activism, life after Trayvon's death, and finding happiness through the darkness.
"I also make sure that the kids know that, even though it might look dark and gloomy around them that they got to keep moving forward," said Fulton during her conversation with an FSU moderator. "So that's my message."
Trayvon's death sparked a movement into social activism that still holds today. Whenever she can, Fulton speaks proudly of her son and said she will always try to keep his life and legacy alive.
"Trayvon had a very good life," said Fulton. "He went on vacations every year to a different place. He had a loving family around him. He played sports he was in school, I mean, all those things that an average teenager does."
Jahlyn Winns came to hear Fulton speak, hoping he could gain some wisdom from the now social activist.
"Just with her going through everything that she went through within the years, and the knowledge that she has, like obtain," said Winns. "I feel like it'd just be great for us to kind of listen to her and get a couple words from her."
One Ferris State professor, encouraging students in attendance, to look at women like Fulton as an inspiration.
"When you all are looking at true aspirational queens as we say, true aspirational goals, it's the ability to make a difference in the impact to change this world and that's what we should all be aspiring for," said the professor.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.