CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State officials and members of the faith community are honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior.
A virtual ceremony was held Monday morning by the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs and Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission.
Dr. Elizabeth Dooley, a native of Fairmont, was the keynote speaker during this year’s MLK Day event. She is currently a professor in the College of Community Innovation and Education at the University of Central Florida and was the first woman and African-American to be named provost and vice president for academic affairs at UCF.
Dooley said Dr. King had a vision that acknowledges all kinds of people.
“Poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated. Racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry and prejudice will be replaced by an all inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood,” she said.
Rabbi Victor Urecki leads the congregation at the B’Nai Jacob Synagogue in Charleston. He spoke of those ideas of inclusion and the importance of the faith leaders exemplifying that.
“It is indeed a time to join together in choosing love and not violence, justice and not injusitce, hope and not hatred. It begins with us. It begins with me,” he said.
Gov. Jim Justice addressed viewers in a video message saying Dr. King’s dream should be remembered.
“He established a work that continues to move us forward. His fight for equality is what we should be doing every day,” Justice said.
U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito also offered their thoughts on Dr. King’s legacy.
“Dr. King understood that we must constantly strive for unity in order for all to achieve the American dream. If we want to see a change in our communities and eradicate discrimination, it is vital that we stand as one and ensure everyone has a voice,” Manchin said.
“West Virginia is a state formed from turmoil, but with the foundational belief that everyone within our mountains regardless of our differences will always be free,” Capito said. “This year, let’s move forward in unison toward the beloved community that Dr. King preached.”
During the event, the MLK State Holiday Commission recognized the following award recipients:
- Service Organization Honor Roll: The Greenbrier Historical Society
- Scholarship Award: Myrna B. Geiger
- Sharing of Self Award: Kenyatta Coleman Grant
- The Governor’s Living the Dream Award: Reverend James Patterson