Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission - West Virginia

Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission - West Virginia Each year in West Virginia the Commission celebrates Dr. King's legacy of equality and justice for a Governor Reauthorizes W.Va. Martin Luther King [Jr. holiday.

State Holiday] Commission
By Staff, wire reports (The Charleston Gazette - wvgazette.com - November 19, 2013)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has reauthorized a state commission that promotes the Martin Luther King Jr. Tomblin on Tuesday issued an executive order, replacing one that expired in June. Fifteen people have been appointed to the Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commiss

ion, including state, academic and church leaders. The commission's purpose is to coordinate and promote activities around the state to commemorate King's birthday and achievements. Next year's holiday is observed on Jan. 20. Commission Members include . . .
[Dr. Carolyn Stuart, Chair of the Commission and Executive Director of the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA)]
Kay Goodwin, WV Education and the Arts Secretary;
David Fryson, West Virginia University's Chief Diversity Officer; Julie Palas, Governor's Office of Health Enhancement and Lifestyle Planning;
Michelle Easton, Dean of the University of Charleston's School of Pharmacy;
Sylvia Ridgeway, State NAACP President;
Marie Redd, former State Senator from Cabell County;
Anthony Woart of Bluefield State College's Minority Health Institute;
Randall Reid-Smith, WV Culture and History [Commissioner];
Patricia Wilson, Associate Professor at West Virginia State University;
Jacqueline Proctor, Deputy Commissioner of the WV Division of Tourism;
Rev. B.J. Roberts of the Kingdom Life Fellowship Church in Nitro;
Dr. Hazo Carter, former president of WVSU;
Rev. Ron English, retired pastor of Charleston's First Baptist Church, who grew up in King's church in Atlanta and delivered the prayer at King's funeral;
Larry Starcher, retired State Supreme Court Justice; and Kanawha Circuit Judge Tod Kaufman.

06/25/2026

🌟Happy Birthday, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor! 🌟

The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA) wishes a very happy birthday to Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina and third woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court.

Born on June 25, 1954, in the Bronx, New York, Justice Sotomayor’s remarkable journey from public housing to the highest court in the land exemplifies perseverance and an unwavering commitment to justice. 

Throughout her career, Justice Sotomayor has been a voice for underrepresented communities, advocating for Latino students and faculty at Princeton and Yale and she has also worked with the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund.

At HHOMA, we honor trailblazers like Justice Sotomayor whose story reminds us of the importance of diverse backgrounds in public service, and the lasting impact one dedicated individual can make.

Wishing Justice Sotomayor a joyful birthday filled with celebration and continued good health as she serves our nation. 🇺🇸



Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore

06/23/2026
02/26/2026
Recap photos. Enjoy!
02/03/2026

Recap photos. Enjoy!

✨ "Nearly 62 years ago, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood before the congregation of FBC Charleston WV and ...
01/20/2026

✨ "Nearly 62 years ago, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood before the congregation of FBC Charleston WV and West Virginians gathered in the same sanctuary to honor his life on the holiday bearing his name.

The West Virginia Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission presented its annual ecumenical service on Monday, with speakers describing the impact that King still has today." Full story at the link:

The West Virginia Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission hosted its annual service on Monday.

01/19/2026

On this MLK Jr. Day, we pause to reflect on the responsibility and the opportunity each of us carries: to speak with courage, stand for justice, and act with compassion.

At HHOMA, honoring Dr. King’s legacy means actively engaging our community—lifting voices, celebrating culture, and creating spaces for meaningful dialogue. We believe progress happens when we lean in, listen well, and choose action over silence.

Today, we invite you to carry that commitment forward. Be present. Be intentional. Be part of the work that strengthens our community, not just today, but every day.

01/18/2026

We are honored to welcome Jacqueline Proctor as the Presiding Official for the 2026 MLK Jr. Ecumenical Service. ✨🎤

A former Disney/ABC Television Network executive, Jacqueline brings a remarkable depth of leadership and communication experience. She currently serves as Deputy Commissioner for the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services and has held key leadership roles across state government, including Director of Communications for former Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.

Beyond her professional career, Jacqueline is deeply committed to community service. She serves as a commission member of the WV Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission, a trustee of the Huntington Museum of Art, and is actively involved in civic and cultural development initiatives across West Virginia.

With a passion for empowering leaders through impactful communication, Jacqueline’s voice and leadership are a meaningful addition to this year’s service. We are grateful for her presence as we gather to honor Dr. King’s enduring legacy.

đź“ŤFirst Baptist Church of Charleston,
432 Shrewsbury Street
Charleston, WV 25301

đź“… Monday, January 19, 2026

🕤 Starting promptly at 9:30 AM

Address

1900 Kanawha Blvd. East
Charleston, WV
25305

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13043562023

Website

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