24th Annual MLK Drum Major Awards: Community Celebration & Reception

Boaz & Ruth, Fifth Street Baptist Church, and the Urban Financial Services Coalition have once again joined together to host the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration and Drum Major Awards.

This meaningful community celebration honors individuals and organizations who are making a lasting impact through service, leadership, and advocacy—individuals who are truly keeping the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. alive.

Keynote Speaker

Loki Mulholland

Emmy Award–winning filmmaker, author, and speaker

Program Highlights

Closing Unity March for Freedom led by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated – Xi Delta Lambda Chapter

Hostesses/Ushers: James River Valley (VA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated

Special performances by Signs of Praise

Featured Quote

“Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.”

— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2025 Drum Major Award Honorees

• Dr. Makola M. Abdullah, President, Virginia State University
• Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC)
• Women in the NAACP (WIN) Committee, Henrico Chapter of the NAACP
• Richmond Symphony
• Robin Pope-Moss
• Farryn Pearson
• Donna Wheeler
• Monica Murray
• Winston Lowe, Jr., Xi Delta Lambda Chapter
• Reverend F. Todd Gray, Senior Pastor, Fifth Street Baptist Church
  Lifetime Achievement Award

DonationS

Donations are welcome and will support the work of the Urban Financial Services Coalition, Boaz & Ruth, and Fifth Street Baptist Church.

Sponsors: L2L Leadership Institute and eventfull

Loki Mulholland

Loki Mulholland is an Emmy-winning filmmaker, author, activist, and son of civil rights icon, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland. His work has received over 40 Telly Awards and his films on race and social justice issues have won 20 Best Documentary awards. Loki is the author of multiple books including “She Stood for Freedom” and “Get Back to the Counter”. His films have appeared on Showtime, PBS and Amazon where “The Uncomfortable Truth” has been viewed over three million times. Loki is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and speaks all over the country on issues of race and social justice. In 2023, Loki received an Honorary Doctorate from Ithaca College.

Signs of Praise Dance Group: Praise dancing originated in Baptist churches in the late 19th century and is a descendant of the ring shout, a West African religious dance. It's primarily practiced by Christians, but it's not always performed in a church. Praise dancers can be seen performing at rallies, marches, and as background dancers for Gospel artists.

MLK RVA Past Speakers:

Over the past 25 years, MLK RVA has had the regionks most dynamic speakers at the annual MLK Drum Majors Awards and Celebration, including:

• Bert Ashe, author, professor, and international speaker on race and culture
• Robert Dortch, Jr. Innovation Leadership Coach/ Strategist, Jordan/Sydnor Innovation Group
• Claire Guthrie Gastañaga, first woman Deputy Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia and Executive Drector of ACLU - Virgininis
• Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator and former Virginis Governor
• Ryan Mack, CNN contributor, author, and social entrepreneur
• Jennifer McClellan, U.S. Congresswoman and former Virginia Delegate and State Senator
• Bruce Miller, founder of Virginia Repertory Theatre and playwrite
• Manny Peña, lead pastor of LUX Church
• Micah Bam-Bamm White, actor, comedian, and Vice President of the MBL