City of Petersburg Celebrates Dr. King’s Birthday
The City of Petersburg will honor Dr. Martin Luther King in a special program, open to the public, at the Petersburg Public Library on January 14, 2024, starting at 3:00 pm (doors open at 2:30 pm). The Petersburg Public Library is at 201 W. Washington Street.
Former NAACP Civil Rights Attorney Edward A Hailes, Jr. will be the keynote speaker. Bishop Darren L Gay, Sr. from Higher Way Ministries, will deliver a message of hope, and Dr. Makola M Abdullah, President of Virginia State University, will share reflections on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The program will include a Spoken Word performance by social activist Elijah Coles-Brown and a musical performance by vocalist Timara Hargrave.
Guests are asked to bring canned goods for event admission.
The City of Petersburg was the first locality to establish Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday as an official holiday. This action was taken 10 years before Dr. King’s birthday became a national holiday.