Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission

Gov. Jim Justice issued Executive Order No. 4-18 reestablishing the Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission. This Order replaces Executive Order No. 8-13, which expired June 30, 2017.   

The purpose of the Commission is to develop, promote, coordinate, approve, review and make recommendations for activities to commemorate the birthday and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  The Commission also encourages state, local and county governmental agencies, educational institutions, civic organizations and the general public to plan activities for observance of the holiday and to provide them with assistance and information. 

The Division of Culture and History and the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs will provide general assistance, upon request. The Executive Director of the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs has been appointed to serve as the Commission Chair.  The following have also been appointed to the Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission:

Jill Upson, Chair

Patricia Wilson, Co-Chair

Rev. Micah Blanks

Tammy Crockett

Anne Newcomer-Dungan

Derrick Grant

Dr. Charles Ledbetter

Julie Palas

Jacqueline Proctor

Randall Reid-Smith

Pastor Leo Riley

Simone Thomas

Anthony Woart

This Commission will expire on June 30, 2022, or as directed by a subsequent Executive Order.  To read the Executive Order in its entirety, click here.          

The Mission of the Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission is to develop, promote, coordinate, approve, review and make recommendations for activities to commemorate the birthday and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Commission also encourages state, local and county governmental agencies, educational institutions, civic organizations and the general public to plan activities for observance of the holiday and to provide them with assistance and information.

"Living the Dream" Awards: Each year the Commission seeks nominees for the "Living the Dream" awards to be presented as part of the national Martin Luther King, Jr. The public is invited to nominate candidates for each of the awards. Click here for more information on the "Living the Dream" Awards.

Annual Racism Essay Contest: The Commission joins the YWCA Wheeling in extending an invitation to all school-aged children in WV to participate in the YWCA “Project on Racism Essay Contest”. Each year students are provided with a venue to share their vision and views of Dr. King’s lessons and teachings. Click here to view the Project on Racism page.

Annual Poster Contest: Each year students throughout West Virginia have shared their artistic abilities by submitting their entries as a way of celebrating the life and  legacy of Dr. Martin  Luther King, Jr.  Classroom teachers are asked to  assist students in the development of original slogans/captions to be used in the development of the poster.  Click here to view the Annual Poster Contest page.

 

Dream Awards  |  Essay Contest  |  MLK Events  |  Poster Contest  | Press  | MLK Annual Report.