Young leaders shine at 40th annual MLK celebration and youth oratorical competition
By J. Pamela Stills Special to the AFRO
Members of the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (PWCACDST) hosted the 40th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Celebration and Youth Oratorical competition.
The MLK program was held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Triangle, Virginia where Rev. Dr. Alfred Jones Jr. is Pastor and Deaconess Goldie Jones is First Lady. The goal of the oratorical competition is to honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s spirit of hope and his work to improve civil and human rights.
The orators spoke on the topic of “Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy: My Voice, My Choice, My Future.”
Marian NanaAcquah and Juniper Adams received the Judges Choice Honorable Mention Award for content or style that impressed the judges at the regional competition. They received a monetary award and certificate.
Winners of the best delivered speech at the regional competition were Ezana Tesfaye (middle school) and Jordyn Nesbitt (high school). They both received a monetary award.
Winners of the annual MLK oratorical competition were Ezana Tesfaye (middle school) and Rabab Raza (high school). The winners received a monetary award and the Drum Major Award, which is an additional monetary award from the Bagnerise Foundation.
Rev. Al Sharpton hosts rally
By Ama Brown AFRO Editorial Assistant
On Monday Jan. 20, the National Action Network (NAN) held a rally to recognize the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event took place at Metropolitan AME church in Washington, D.C. Due to the freezing cold, the march portion of the plan was cancelled. Instead, hundreds packed into the historic church in honor of King and in protest of the new presidential administration.
Several influential people spoke to those in attendance including Pastor Lawrence E. Aker, of Cornerstone Baptist Church New York; Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies and of course, NAN founder, the Rev. Al Sharpton. All spoke on the importance of service to the community and highlighted the vigilance needed in this time of political uncertainty.
AFRO Photos / J. Pamela Stills
Naomi Samuel gives her speech during the 2025 MLK Oratorical competition.
Marian NanaAcquah receives the Judges Choice Honorable Mention award from Donna Burton (left) and Deborah Campbell (right) during competition. Ezana Tesfaye concludes his speech.
Jesse Hasoon of Woodbridge, Va., Damon Scott of Washington D.C. and Jeremija Bradford, also of Woodbridge, welcome attendees to the MLK Oratorical competition at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Triangle, Va. on Saturday, Jan. 18. Scott is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Donna Burton (left) and Deborah Campbell (right) present Rev. Dr. Alfred Jones Jr. with gifts of appreciation.
Shown here, London Lewis (front, center), winner of the fifth grade writing contest, as she receives a certificate of achievement from Sherilyn Gaskins (back, left), Donna Burton, Deborah Campbell, Felicia Pryor and Renee LaHuffman-Jackson.
Rabab Raza speaks during the competition, held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Triangle, Va.
Soluchi Eze poses with her family after the MLK Oratorical competition. Shown here, Erica Blanch (left), Modesta Umeh, Kayla Blanch, Chuka Eze, Toby Eze, Soluchi Eze, Mariah Eze, Simbiat Shodeinde and Lucy Eze. Soluchi is a middle school finalist in the oratorical competition. Judge Seth OpokuYeboah and Congressman Eugene Vindman (back, right) appear in the background.
AFRO Photo/ James Fields
Briana Brooks represents the new generation of leaders. She currently serves as talent manager and staff engagement officer at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School in the District.
Robin Mendez-Newell (left) and Isabel Ortiz brave the cold to hear Rev. Al Sharpton speak.
Larry Young, host of “The Larry Young Morning Show” on WOLB, makes an appearance.
Korey Wise, one of the exonerated Central Park Five, joins the rally in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Rev. Al Sharpton delivers a riveting speech on MLK Day 2025 at the historic Metropolitan AME Church, located in Washington, D.C.
Reginald F. Lewis Museum celebrates legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with full day of free, special programming
By Alexis Taylor AFRO Managing Editor
Baltimore’s Reginald F.
Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture
(RFLM) opened their doors to the general public for a full day of programming on Jan. 20 to honor the life and legacy of the late civil and human rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Led by RFLM President Terri Lee Freeman, the museum is now in its 20th year. The museum offered arts and crafts with Mama Sallah Jenkins, mental health counseling sessions and a screening of the film, “Walter P. Carter: Champion for Change.” Movement was also a big part of the day, with yoga sessions and a drum circle taking place in the afternoon.
Local chapters of national organizations like the National Council of Negro Women, Mocha Moms and 100 Black Men came together to offer a resource fair on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK Day). Visitors poured into the museum, located at 830 E Pratt St. Aside from the resources and special programming offered, visitors young and old also received an opportunity to check out some of the RFLM exhibits, including “iWITNESS: Media and The Movement,” which includes information on how members of the Black Press created change through photography, radio and printed news. Those in attendance were able to see how publications like the AFRO made an impact by covering the happenings of everyday Black life, while also recording how important moments in American history impacted African-American communities across the nation.
Reginald F. Lewis Museum President Terri Lee Freeman works hard year round to ensure robust programming for every visitor that walks through the museum’s doors. On MLK Day 2025, she opened exhibits free of charge and created special programming focused on the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Wayne Jacas (left), vice president of programs for the Baltimore City Chapter of 100 Black Men of Maryland participates in the resource fair offered to residents at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on MLK Day 2025. He is joined by Spencer Evans (center), a new member of the organization and Edgar Freeman, advisor for the collegiate chapter of the organization at Morgan State University.
Deanna Neal, of the Greater Baltimore section of Mocha Moms, offers resources to moms in need of a support system. She is joined by a special helper, her son, Mason Neal.
Haki Ammi, a Maryland Black Caucus Foundation parliamentarian who works to create change every day, makes a point to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the third Monday of January each year.
Joann Chase, a Baltimore native, takes part in the arts and crafts offered to visitors.
Mama Sallah Jenkins offers creative activities for those in attendance.
Youth and Program Coordinator for the Greater Baltimore Urban League, Dasia Townes, represents the new generation of activists and change makers on the community level.
Akin Abioye takes time to enjoy programming at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum with his children, Sanu (front, left) and Cuba.
Marlon Brenton, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., speaks on the importance of honoring his frat brother, the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Awanya Anglin-Brodie (left), president of the Baltimore Section of the National Council of Negro Women, serves the public on MLK Day 2025 along with members Tambra Chisolm, Dia DrakeSprague and Carole West.
Ronnie Brown (left) celebrates the federal holiday with his daughters, Denver and Savannah Brown (center), their friend Amelia Finch and her dad, David Finch. The men were an outstanding representation of what it means to help the next generation learn about Black history while also appreciating their roots. Shown here,
group inside of the
Lewis Museum.