MLK Events
2026 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Events
Annual Celebration of UNIty Awards Ceremony
MLK Commission, HHOMA to honor student winners of 2026 Contests
The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA) will host an award ceremony to celebrate the student winners of the 42nd Annual Poster Competition and the Project on Racism Essay, Song, Short Film Contest. The Awards Presentation and Luncheon will be held at the WV Culture Center in Charleston, WV on January 17, 2026, and students with winning entries and their family members have been invited to attend, as well as, teachers and principals. Winning posters will be exhibited at the WV Culture Center January – February 28, 2026 for the general public’s viewing.
Annual Ecumenical Service
Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission announces Speakers at 2026 MLK Ecumenical Service and Winner of the Living the Dream Award for Sharing of Self
The Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission, in partnership with the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA) invites the public to join in honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The ecumenical service will take place on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Charleston, located at 432 Shrewsbury Street, Charleston, WV 25301. All are invited to attend this meaningful gathering, which embodies Dr. King’s vision of nonviolent community building and national unity.
The keynote speaker will be Ericke S. Cage, J.D., LL.M., President of West Virginia State University. President Cage’s keynote address will be centered on this year’s national theme: “Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way.”
Special remarks will also be provided by The Honorable Carol Miller, Congresswoman, WV-01. MLK Commission Chair, Jill Upson stated, “We are honored to host this year’s Ecumenical Service and to welcome President Cage as our keynote speaker. We invite all West Virginians to join us on January 19th as we reflect on building stronger communities and uniting through peaceful, purposeful action”.
This year’s program also includes the annual MLK Commission presentation of the “Living the Dream” award. In the category of Sharing of Self, the commission is honored to recognize Jamaal Davis. This category is described as, “A person who has rendered to others in the public or private sector”. Davis serves as a Program Director with the Help 447 Foundation, and his work has had a profound and lasting impact on the youth, families, and neighborhoods within the community.
In addition to his daily commitment to the youth at the juvenile center, Davis leads the annual Turkey and Ham Drive during both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Through this effort, he helps ensure that hundreds of families in need experience warmth, dignity, and support during the holidays. Outside of these programs, Davis can be found coaching kids throughout the Charleston, WV area.
Watch The 2026 Ecumenical Service Recap Video Here!
2025 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Events
Annual Celebration of UNIty Awards Ceremony
MLK Commission, HHOMA to honor student winners of project on racism contest and 41st annual poster competition on january 18
The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs will host an award ceremony to celebrate the student winners of the Project on Racism Contest and 41st Annual Poster Competition.
All entries must have focused on the following quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.: "The surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others."
Annual Ecumenical Service
Please join us as we honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with an Ecumenical service on Sunday, January 12.
The Ecumenical Service Ceremony starts at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Charleston on Jan. 12
The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA), in conjunction with the Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission, will host a Commemoration and Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with an Ecumenical Service and light refreshments at First Baptist Church on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025.
This year, Reverend Paul Anthony Dunn will provide the keynote address. Rev. Dunn is a native of Midland, Texas, and the third child of Rev. and Mrs. Boley G. Dunn. He has been a preacher of the Gospel since he was 15 years old. Formally educated at Fisk University, University of Detroit Mercy and Trinity Theological Seminary, he has served as the Pastor of First Baptist Church for 25 years.
The ceremony will be held at the First Baptist Church, located at 432 Shrewsbury Street in Charleston. The ceremony can be viewed on West Virginia Public Broadcast on dates to be announced and on the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs Facebook Page.
Ecumenical Service Agenda 2025
Click to view previous programs:
2026 MLK Ecumenical Program
2025 MLK Ecumenical Program
2024 MLK Ecumenical Program
2023 MLK Ecumenical Program
2022 MLK Ecumenical Program
2021 MLK Ecumenical Program
2020 MLK Ecumenical Program
2019 MLK Ecumenical Program
2018 MLK Ecumenical Program
2017 MLK Ecumenical Program
2016 MLK Ecumenical Program
2015 MLK Ecumenical Program
2014 MLK Ecumenical Program
MLK State Holiday Commission
State Capitol
Building 1, Room 9-R
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, WV 25305