13th Annual Celebration of Diversity Awards

Saturday, January 18 | West Virginia Culture Center 

The Celebration of Diversity Awards luncheon and ceremony is invitation-only. Members of the public are invited to view the event recording. 

To attend in person: 
West Virginia Culture Center | West Virginia Capitol Complex

          12:00 p.m. - Lunch
          12:30 p.m. - Ceremony

To view virtually after the event: Watch on Monday, January 20, 2025 after the MLK Ecumenical Service beginning at 7 p.m. on WV Public Broadcasting, the West Virginia Channel or at facebook.com/WVHHOMA.

AGENDA

Download the Agenda here.

Greetings & Introduction | The Honorable Jill Upson - Chair of the Martin Luther King, Jr.
State Holiday Commission and Executive Director, Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs

Special Remarks | Randall Reid-Smith - Cabinet Secretary, West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History
           Read Secretary Reid-Smith’s bio here. 

Musical Selection | Malia Courts - Miss Black West Virginia, USA Talented Teen “See the Day” (by Liz Vice)
           Read Malia Courts’ bio here. 

Presentation of Poster Awards | Patricia Wilson - Retired Chair of Education Department,
West Virginia State University and Commissioner, Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission
           2025 Award Winners 

Presentation of Essay Awards | Patricia Wilson

Essay Readings

Presentation of Film Awards | Patricia Wilson

Short Film Screenings

Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements