B4 The Afro-American January 25, 2025 - January 31, 2025
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. AFRO Photos / J. Pamela Stills
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.
Rabab Raza speaks during the competition, held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Triangle, Va.
Ezana Tesfaye concludes his speech.
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.
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.
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.
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 Photo/ James Fields
The Rev. Al Sharpton delivers a riveting speech on MLK Day 2025 at the historic Metropolitan AME Church, located in Washington, D.C.
Briana Brooks represents the new generation of leaders. She currently serves as talent Larry Young, host of “The Larry manager and staff engagement Young Morning Show” on officer at E.L. Haynes Public WOLB, makes an appearance. Charter School in the District.
Robin Mendez-Newell (left) and Isabel Ortiz brave the cold to hear Rev. Korey Wise, one of the exonerated Central Park Five, joins Al Sharpton speak. the rally in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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