Loudoun County’s 23rd annual Martin Luther King march and celebration Jan. 19

Families, friends, and community organizations from all over Loudoun County will come together on Monday, January 19, 2015 at 10:30 am on the Loudoun County Courthouse lawn in Leesburg for the Annual March and Celebration honoring the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The theme of this year’s celebration is “Stand Up For Justice- Act!” Keynote speaker will be Dr. Wendi Manuel Scott.

Manuel-Scott is director of African and African American Studies and an associate professor of History and Art History at George Mason University. She helped to research and curate a permanent exhibit in Loudoun County, Virginia documenting the history of the Leesburg Frederick Douglass School and struggles of the African American community in Loudoun County for an equal education.

The Loudoun County MLK Celebration includes a symbolic march from the Old Loudoun Courthouse to the Douglass Community Center, formerly the Douglass High School.  Local school bands, individuals, families, and community groups will be participating in the march, one of the largest and oldest in the region.  Noteworthy in Loudoun County history, Douglass High School was the last segregated black high school in the area until 1968.

Following the march, refreshments will be served at the Douglass Community Center.  Musical performances, presentations, and inspirational offerings will be made by members of the community, highlighted by a speech by Dr. Wendi Manuel-Scott.

Attendees to the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration are encouraged to participate in a canned food drive to benefit Loudoun Interfaith Relief. This local charity has a special need for nonperishable meat products. Drop off area for the food drive will be at Douglass Community Center from 8 am to 1:30 pm.

Religious and civic organizations and members of the surrounding community are asked to walk together during the march and display their banners.  For those who are unable to join the march, special MLK activities and entertainment will take place at the Douglass Community Center from 10 to 11:30 am.

The founding sponsors for this event are the Loudoun NAACP, Douglass Alumni Association, Bluemont Concert Series, and the Baha’i Community of Loudoun.

Individuals, families, schools, businesses, civic and religious organizations are all welcome to participate.  For more information, contact:  Tammy Carter (571) 331-4721, Kimberly Etherith (703) 314-1491, or Lily Dunning (540) 539-5651.