Hampton Roads’ MLK Commemorative Events

January 10
Hidden Figures Author At ODU

NORFOLK
Old Dominion University’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 10, at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.

This will be ODU’s 33rd annual observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The 2017 observance program will celebrate women’s achievements through the legacy of King.

The event will feature Margot Lee Shetterly, the author of the bestseller “Hidden Figures,” the story of three Black women mathematicians at NASA who helped put Americans on the moon.

The book has been made into a movie of the same name, its a release date of Jan. 6, starring Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst and Jim Parsons.

Shetterly is also the founder of the Human Computer Project, an organization whose mission is to archive the work of all of the women who worked as computer scientists and mathematicians in the early days of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and NASA.

The event is free and open to the public. Visit the event website or call (757) 683-3116.

January 15
City of Norfolk Observances

NORFOLK
On January 15,  the  city of Norfolk will begin its observance of the King birthday observance with its annual “Songs for a Dreamer – A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” concert  at  7 p.m.  the Calvary Revival Church at 5833 Poplar Hall Drive.

The event will feature a concert of orchestral and vocal performances presented by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the city of Norfolk.

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The following day on January 16, the city of Norfolk will host a ceremony at the historic Attucks Theaters at 1010 Church Street starting at 8:30 a.m., featuring speeches and music selections

This event will  be followed by a  march to the King Memorial at Brambleton and Church Street for a wreath-laying ceremony.

January 16
4^th Annual March Against Violence

NORFOLK
In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, the 4th Annual #Forwardpeace March Against Violence will start Monday, January 16 at 1 p.m.  at Norfolk’s Lafayette City Park (next to the Virginia Zoo) on Granby Street.

It will proceed up Church Street to the  MLK monument  at Brambleton Ave. and Church Street.

January 16
33^rd Community Leaders Breakfast

VIRGINIA BEACH

The Urban League of Hapton Roads and the City of Virginia Beach will host the 33rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Leaders Breakfast on January 16 at the  Virginia Beach Convention Center starting at 7:30 a.m. Tickets are $35. For more information or to register, visit www.ulhr.org.

January 16
29^th TMBMC Celebration

NORFOLK
The 29th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration hosted by the Tidewater Metro Baptist Ministers Conference  will be held at Norfolk’s  Historic  First Baptist Church on Bute Street January 16  at noon.

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The keynote speaker will be Rev. D. A. Lincoln James. Jr.,  of the Trinity Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia.

Also the Mt. Gilead Mass Choir, and the Marching Mighty Bookers of the Norfolk’s Booker T. Washington High School will be featured during the annual service.

Dr. Ervin M. Scott is the 56h President  of the organization.

For more information, call (757) 424-9212.

January 16
Chesapeake King Observances: Looking Back And Reaching Forward

Chesapeake
On January 16, Rev. Michael  Benton of the Fairfield Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia will be the keynote speaker at two events observing Dr. King’s birthday in Chesapeake.

The first will be at the New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church at 1765 S. Military Highway in Chesapeake at 11 a.m.

At  6 p.m. at the Weeping Mary Missionary Baptist Church at 1104 Fentress Road  in Chesapeake, Rev. Benton will speak.

The community  is invited to both events.  The theme for both events is “Looking Back and Reaching Forward.”

January 15
MLK Parade in Newport News

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NEWPORT NEWS
The  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Parade will be held on Sunday, January 15th, in  Newport News, Virginia. at 1:30 p.m.

Parade participants  will assemble at 1:30 p.m. at New Beech Grove Baptist Church, 326 Tabbs Lane.

The Parade will kick-off at 1:45 p.m. from New Beech and proceed to Warwick Boulevard at the Tabbs Lane Intersection and turn right on Warwick Boulevard.

The Parade will proceed to the Sherwood Plaza   Intersection and continue to retrace procession back to 326 Tabbs Lane in Newport News where the Parade will disassemble.

Participants will include the Calvary Cardinals Pathfinder Club Drum Corps from Calvary Seventh Day Adventist Church, Newport News, and the New Generation Marching Band from Portsmouth, Virginia.

After the parade, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Commemorative March will include a brief program honoring the slain civil rights icon, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Marcellus L. “B2” Harris, III Newport News City Council Member will serve as the Keynote Speaker of the event and Willard Maxwell, Pastor of New Beech Grove Baptist Church will Preside with the partnering support of Rev. T. DuWayne Privette,  Senior Pastor of Calvary Seventh Day Adventist Church and Bishop Kermit Jones, Pastor of Holy Tabernacle Church of Deliverance.

Additionally, the event will reflect on the memory of Newport News resident Jerrod Reid, who died after suffering from a gunshot wound on New Year’s Day in 2015, as well as all families and victims of violence from 2016.

THE MLK Drum Majors for Service Awards
Hampton Roads

On Saturday, January 14, 2017, CMM 2K and G Paris Media Group will be hosting the “2017 MLK Drum Majors for Service Awards” to be held at NewGWC, 3025 S. Military Highway, Chesapeake, VA. There will be a reception starting at 4:00 p.m. and the award service at 5:00 p.m. The purpose of this year’s service is to recognize the accomplishments of 13 individuals who have worked hard to achieve the goal of peace as well as leadership in our community.

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The 2017 recipients are: Rev. James E. Murray, Jr., Rev. Ira K. McMillan, Jr., Apostle Laequinla Hunter, Elder Cleveland Bates, Pastor Toney D. Saunders, Pastor Ruby Brown White, Pastor Marvette Hines DeCree, Berthram Bergan, Sutalia Freeman Townsend, Pastor Francine Humphrey, Raegan Riddick, Velda Bell and Edwina Wilson.

Last year, the ministry recognized Dr. Ella Ward, Dr. William Ward, Mr. Lessie Smith and Mrs. Florine R. Clarke during Black History Month.

The event is free and open to the public. These leaders are exceptional volunteers that have helped paved the way for many to follow.