A memorial was held for the late Martin Luther Boston, Sacramento State’s former director of Pan African studies at the Alumni Center on Tuesday.
Over 350 people attended the service, including family members, friends, colleagues and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, which Boston had been a member of since 2004. He passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 17 at the age of 41.
Boston was an assistant professor of Pan African Studies and Ethnic Studies at Sac State for four years, where he led the Black Serving Institution initiative and worked with the Black Honors College and the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution as a board member. He was also a brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, a member organization of the National Pan-Hellenic Council or the Divine Nine.
He taught at DePaul University, University of California, San Diego and Washington State University before coming to Sac State.
Boston is survived by his wife, Krystal Boston, and his two kids. Krystal Boston said her husband greatly enjoyed his time at Sac State and that the university gave them the space to host the memorial.
“He really loved working here at Sac State,” Krystal Boston said. “I feel like he was home here.”
Boston’s brother in Omega Psi Phi and fellow Washington State alumnus, Sloan Baptiste, said Boston showed vibrant, youthful enthusiasm as a key component to the fraternity. Baptiste said Boston was a very close friend of his.
“He was a midpoint between those coming in and those who’ve been in a long time,” Baptiste said. “He was a bridge builder.”
History graduate student Drew Harris said Boston did a lot for the community and bonded with him over their shared interest in Athletics. Though Harris never took a class with Boston, he said he was glad to know him.
“I wish I got to do more with him in the short time I got to know him,” Harris said. “He was always approachable and fun to be around, and I’m going to miss him a lot.”
Boston earned a bachelor’s degree in ethnic studies and a master’s degree in American studies at Washington State. Later on, he attended the University of California, San Diego for his second master’s degree and Ph.D. in ethics studies.
Baljeet Sangha, a friend of Boston from middle school, said he always made him feel welcome and included. Sangha said he met Boston through being coached by his dad in basketball.
RELATED: Cooper-Woodson College Enhancement centers academic success on Black excellence
“Iron sharpens iron, and that’s what he’s been doing from the beginning,” Sangha said. “He’s going to have a really amazing legacy, and he’s gonna inspire a lot of people.”
Boston was the editor-in-chief of the publication “African and Black Diaspora: An International Journal.” He has contributed to research papers such as “Dawn Breaks: the anti-colonial legacy of the ANC Women’s Section radio segment” and “Be(Long)ing: New Africanism & South African Cultural Producers Confronting State Repression in an Era of Exile.”
President Luke Wood spoke during the memorial about Boston’s achievements at Sac State. Wood said that Boston had a large impact on the campus community.
“Martin Boston is one of the best colleagues I’ve ever had the chance of working with,” Wood said. “He had an incredible impact on the entire campus community but particularly our students.”
For each cohort in the Black Honors College, a name is given based on different people from the campus community. During the memorial, Wood said Boston would be memorialized through the 2025 cohort to honor his legacy.
“As a campus, we will continue to elevate and celebrate his legacy and our hearts and minds are with his family,” Wood said.
Additional reporting by Ellie Appleby
