2027 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Sun., January 17 – Sat., January 23, 2027
MLK Jr. Kids Day
Sunday, January 17 | 3 p.m.| James Monroe High School
Children from the local Fredericksburg area are invited to enjoy games, activities, and crafts to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual community MLK celebration. The event is sponsored by the Partnership for Excellence. Students are asked to register online on MyUMW.
The University of Mary Washington Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Keynote Speaker: Reverend Keenan Thomas
Wednesday, January 20 | 7 p.m. | Chandler Ballroom C, Cedric Rucker University Center
As a long-time resident of Central New Jersey, Rev. Keenan Thomas knows God is the source of his strength and God is strength of his life. In 2008, Keenan graduated from Howard University in Washington D.C., with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Telecommunications Management. Upon graduation, he began a four-year career in media sales at Katz Media Group in New York City. Keenan heard God’s call to the gospel ministry in May of 2011. In May of 2015, he successfully obtained his Master of Divinity degree from Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, NJ. Rev. Keenan served three years at Shiloh Baptist Church in Plainfield, NJ during seminary; his father, Rev. Gerald Lamont Thomas PhD, served as senior pastor. He then served as a full-time staff pastor at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, NJ from June 2015 to May 2019 under Rev. Dr. DeForest B. Soaries Jr. He was employed at Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA in ministry operations for two years. In October 2022, he became the pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church (New Site) in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Rev. Keenan’s foundational scripture for new covenant ministry is found in 1 Peter 4:11, “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides…” Outside of ministry, you can find Keenan engaging and enjoying God’s most treasured creation – people. His favorite part of God’s creation is his wife, Valerie Young.
MLK Jr. Day of Service
Saturday, January 23 | 1 pm – 4 pm | Chandler Ballroom, Cedric Rucker University Center
Co-Sponsored by COAR
Join your fellow students to celebrate our national Day of Service on the UMW campus. The MLK Day of Service is a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision with service projects for Fredericksburg-area agencies. Observed each year as “a day on, not a day off,” MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage everyone to volunteer to improve their communities. Refreshments will be provided.
Fill out the MLK Day Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet to Volunteer!
OR scan the QR Code below!
All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. For more information, please contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at (540) 654-1044 or visit the James Farmer Multicultural Center website. Please email us at jfmc@umw.edu if you have any questions regarding disability-related accommodations.