Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission - West Virginia

02/26/2026

02/22/2026

Let Freedom Ring.

02/03/2026

Recap photos. Enjoy!

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.

📍First Baptist Church of Charleston,
432 Shrewsbury Street
Charleston, WV 25301

📅 Monday, January 19, 2026

🕤 Starting promptly at 9:30 AM

01/15/2026

01/15/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17zZMF7ghy/?mibextid=wwXIfr

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”

01/08/2026

✨ Keynote Speaker Spotlight ✨

We’re honored to welcome Ericke S. Cage, J.D., LL.M., President of West Virginia State University, as the keynote speaker for the 2026 MLK Jr. Ecumenical Service.

Ericke S. Cage is the 13th President of West Virginia State University, a historically Black land-grant institution in Institute, West Virginia. He was unanimously appointed by the WVSU Board of Governors on March 31, 2022, after serving as Interim President beginning in September 2021. In June 2024, President Cage signed a new five-year contract, extending his leadership through 2029.

Join us for a meaningful morning as we gather, reflect, and hear from a respected leader whose work continues to impact education, community, and service across our state.

📍First Baptist Church of Charleston,
432 Shrewsbury Street
Charleston, WV 25301

📅 Monday, January 19, 2026

🕤 Starting promptly at 9:30 AM

01/06/2026

✨ Announcing the 2026 MLK Student Essay, Song, Short Film, & Poster Contest Winners! ✨

The Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission, in partnership with the YWCA of Wheeling, is proud to celebrate the incredible students across West Virginia whose creativity and voices honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

🎨 Poster Award Recipients:
Grades K–2
🥇 1st Place: Khloe K. Leather, Pineville Elementary School, Kindergarten
🥈 2nd Place: Penny McKenzie, Berlin McKinney Elementary, 2nd Grade
🥉 3rd Place: Jessalyn Stewart, Berlin McKinney Elementary, Kindergarten

Grades 3–5
🥇 1st Place: Kinley Brooks, Pineville Elementary School, 4th Grade
🥈 2nd Place: Eliza Crutchfield, Berlin McKinney Elementary School, 4th Grade
🥉3rd Place : Violet West, Berlin McKinney Elementary School, 3rd Grade

Grades 6–8
🥇 1st Place: Bailey McClure, South Charleston Middle School, 8th Grade
🥈 2nd Place: Kloe Chapman, Hamlin PreK-8 School, 8th Grade
🥉 3rd Place: Ada Zou, Oceana Middle School, 8th Grade

Grades 9–12
🥇 1st Place: Carletta Easterling, Huntington High School, 12th Grade
🥈 2nd Place: Lillian T. Markun, Huntington High School, 11th Grade
🥉 3rd Place: Xavin Hale, Scott High School, 11th Grade

⭐️ Honorable Mentions :
Aleah Booker, South Charleston High School, 10th Grade
Kaitlyn Flippen, Scott High School, 12th Grade
Katelynn D. Merritt, Huntington High School, 9th Grade

📝 Essay Award Recipients
Grades K–5
🥇 1st Place: Audrey Ilovar, Grade 5, Wheeling Country Day School
🥈 2nd Place: Lyric Hill, Grade 5, Wheeling Country Day School
🥉 3rd Place: Ember Herbert, Grade 5, Wheeling Country Day School

Grades 6–8
🥇 1st Place: Jayden Johnson, Grade 7, Triadelphia Middle School
🥈 2nd Place: Amari Smith, Triadelphia Middle School
🥉 3rd Place: Piper O’Connell, Grade 8, Bridge Street Middle School

Grades 9–12
🥇 1st Place: KeiMoni Williamson, Grade 12, South Charleston High School
🥈 2nd Place: Hayden Lovejoy, Grade 11, South Charleston High School
🥉 3rd Place: Jacob Perry, Grade 12, Wheeling Central Catholic High School

🎬 Film Award Recipients
Grades 6–8
🏆 Overall Winner:
Lydia Skeens, Sophia Martin & Claire Lemasters, Grade 7
Andrew Jackson Middle School

Grades 9–12
🥇 1st Place: Wheeling Central Catholic High School – Multimedia Dept. (Period 5)
🥈 2nd Place: Wheeling Park High School – Multimedia Dept.
🥉 3rd Place: Wheeling Central Catholic High School – Multimedia Dept. (Period 7)

🎵 Song Award Recipients:
Grades 6–8
🏆 Overall Winner:
Kylie Curnutte, Grade 7
Andrew Jackson Middle School

🖌️ Mixed Media Award Recipients:
Grades 9-12
🥇1st Place: Helen Mayhorn, Scott High School, 11th Grade
🥈2nd Place: Destiny F. Harless, Huntington High School, 9th Grade
🥉3rd Place: Khalia Reid, Herbert Hoover High School, 12th Grade

🎉 All winners will be recognized at the statewide MLK Student Awards Celebration on
📅 Saturday, January 17
📍 Charleston, WV
Sponsored by the West Virginia Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Commission and the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs.

👏 Congratulations to all of our talented students—we are so proud of you!