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everal events honoring the life and legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were observed around the Kanawha Valley on Monday. Events included an ecumenical service and community birthday celebrations.
The day’s festivities began with a prayer service at the First Baptist Church of Charleston, the same church where, in 1960, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke on a trip to West Virginia’s capital city.
Monday’s prayer service marked the 42nd annual event in Charleston.
The service included gospel music, guest speakers and prayers. It was sponsored by the state Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs.
Jacqueline Proctor, Deputy Commissioner for the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services, served as this year’s presiding official for the ecumenical event.
Proctor is a former Disney/ABC Television Network executive. She also previously served as the Director of Communications for former West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.
Guest speakers
Among the guests who spoke at Monday’s prayer service was U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va.
In her message, Miller encouraged attendees to pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by following his example.
“We can honor his legacy by choosing the same path he did,” she said.
Representatives for U.S. Senator Jim Justice and U.S. Rep. Riley Moore also offered remarks at the service.
Monday’s keynote speaker was West Virginia State University President Ericke Cage.
In his speech, Cage spoke about giving oneself in service to others in the spirit of Dr. King.
“I’m here to invite us to commitments worthy of this day,” Cage said. “If we want to honor Dr. King, we ought to ask ourselves, where can I serve right now?”
Living the Dream Awards
Also during Monday’s prayer service, officials with the Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission presented “Living the Dream” awards to chosen recipients.
According to the commission’s website, the awards are “given to those who best exemplify, through action, and/or personal traits, the principles and ideals characterizing Dr. King in his pursuit of social change.”
Montgomery native Jamal Davis won the “Sharing of Self” award, given to individuals who render to others in the public or private sector.
Davis works at a juvenile center in Charleston. He founded a youth basketball program and organizes several community outreach events around the Kanawha Valley throughout the year.
“I just ask that God continue to use me as a vessel...so his light can shine through me,” Davis said after receiving the award.
Birthday celebrations
Other celebrations were held throughout the region on Monday in honor of MLK Jr. Day.
In Charleston, the MLK Jr. Community Center on Donnally Street held a Birthday Celebration for the greater community. The free event included food, games, face painting, live music, giveaways and a collaborative art experience.
A second holiday celebration was scheduled for Monday evening at the Phat Daddys On Da Tracks restaurant on Sixth Avenue in Charleston. The event was organized by several local community members, including Dr. Octavia Cordon, Martec Washington and Aryaunna Mosley.
