The Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission will be hosting an annual commemoration and celebration of the life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 21, 2019. This year’s theme is: “Unity has never meant uniformity.” All West Virginia State University students, faculty and staff are invited to attend.
This year’s celebration will take place at Asbury United Methodist Church, 501 Elizabeth Street in Charleston, on Monday, January 21. The Ecumenical Service is from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and will feature Dr. Michelle Foster, President and CEO of The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (TGKVF) as the keynote speaker. The Symbolic March will proceed to the north steps of the State Capitol Complex for a bell ringing ceremony. A reception will follow immediately at the West Virginia Culture Center.
Before joining TGKVF, this year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Foster, was the CEO of the Kanawha Institute for Social Research & Action, Inc. (KISRA). This organization is a community-based, non-profit organization that strengthens West Virginia families through health, employment and asset development.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission will be awarding the following recipients: Elliot Hicks, Esq., The Governor’s Living the Dream Award; Dr. Jerome Gilbert, Scholarship Award; Health Science and Technology Academy, Living the Dream Service Organization Honor Roll Award; Thanks! Plain and Simple, Inc., Living the Dream Service Organization Honor Roll Award; and Rev. Micah Blanks, Sharing of Self Award.
These events are free and open to the public.
The Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission is also in need of volunteers to assist on Monday for the service and bell ringing ceremony. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Professor Patricia Wilson at (304) 741-1608.
For more information contact the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs at (304) 356-2023.
