CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events will take place on the same day as the Gubernatorial Inauguration, Monday, Jan. 16.
The 2017 celebration will take place at Asbury United Methodist Church in Charleston followed by a march to the north steps of the state Capitol Complex where Governor-elect Jim Justice will be sworn in.
“The inauguration committee has ensured that MLK commission will be involved in the Inauguration in terms of the march that will take place,” said Dr. Carolyn Stuart, executive director of the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs and chair of the Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission.
This year’s theme is called: “I Believe That Unarmed Truth and Unconditional Love Will Have The Final Word In Reality.”
Stuart said King left behind a legacy of “hope” and “inclusion.”
The Ecumenical Service is from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the church. Rev. David Fryson will be the keynote speaker.
“He was chosen because of the work he’s done and because of the contributions he’s made, not only to West Virginia but to around the nation,” Stuart said.
Fryson is the vice president for the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at West Virginia University.
The Ecumenical Service is free and open to the public.