2024 Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration
Rev. William J. Barber presents Keynote Address
RESTON, VA – Reston Community Center’s founding principles are rooted in equality and respect, as are the principles and teachings of Dr. King. This January, for the 39th consecutive year, RCC marks the Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration with community events and reflections highlighting Dr. King’s enduring legacy.
Headlining the 2024 community-wide celebration is Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II, the president of Repairers of the Breach and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, a civil rights advocate and champion of various movements, including workers’ rights and women’s rights. He will deliver the Keynote Address at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 15 at RCC Hunters Woods. In addition to his many accomplishments, Rev. Barber has authored three books, one of which, “We Are Called to Be a Movement,” will be available for purchase after his presentation.
Through the years, RCC has proudly presented many inspirational, thought-provoking and relevant leaders on race and culture including Pulitzer Prize-winning author Eugene Robinson, celebrated actress Anna Deavere Smith, New York Times bestselling author Heather McGhee and Attorney Bakari Sellers.
The Keynote Address is sold out, however, patrons wishing to obtain tickets may come to the CenterStage Box Office at RCC Hunters Woods to place their names on a waiting list for released tickets beginning at 10:00 a.m. on January 15.
“RCC and our community partners come together each year to reflect on what remains of Dr. King’s life work to accomplish,” said RCC Board Chair Beverly Cosham. “We are justifiably proud of our community’s founding values, but we also recognize that more remains to be done to live them to their fullest potential and to achieve the vision of a ‘beloved community’ that Martin Luther King called us to become.”
The 2024 Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration also includes a series of events, activities, and projects where our community of all ages and abilities can get engaged. Following is an overview of this year’s calendar of events:
Saturday, January 13
Community Service Projects
9:00 a.m., Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate, 12125 Pinecrest Road, Reston
6 years and older, Free
Join friends and neighbors in honoring Dr. King’s legacy by serving your community. As Dr. King said, “Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve.” Special projects support Cornerstones and Reston neighborhoods. To volunteer, please contact Ha Brock, at 703-435-7986 or ha@reston.org.
Reston Community Orchestra
Annual Musical Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
4:00 p.m., RCC Hunters Woods Community Room
$18 Senior/$25 Adults, Free for Youth and Military
With music and words specifically chosen for this occasion, the RCO honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The program features sopranos Alia Waheed, Beverly Cosham, Dr. Gilbert Pryor and students from Al Fatih Academy. Mark Irchai, one of the four finalists in the RCO’s search for a new conductor, will be conducting this concert. Tickets available through the RCC Box Office.
Sunday, January 14
Dan + Claudia Zanes
2:00 p.m., RCC Hunters Woods – the CenterStage
All ages, $15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston
Grammy Award-winner Dan Zanes and Haitian American jazz vocalist Claudia Zanes, perform a mix of old and new songs from near and far. During this highly interactive show, the audience is invited to dance and sing along in what might be called a casual – and subversively educational – festive atmosphere. The music is homespun, joyful, sophisticated and artful. This performance will appeal to audiences of all ages. Tickets are available through the RCC Box Office.
Monday, January 15
Keynote Address by Rev. William J. Barber followed by Community Lunch 11:00 a.m., RCC Hunters Woods: the CenterStage and Community Room
Sold Out A ticket waitlist will be started at 10:00 a.m. at the Box Office.
$5 Reston/$20 Non-Reston
The Rev. William J. Barber II has pastored Greenleaf Christian Church since 1993 and is a Professor at Yale Divinity School. Dr. Barber is a civil rights advocate and champion of various movements, including workers’ rights and women’s rights. Following the keynote address, a family-style lunch will be provided in the Community Room.
MLK Birthday Celebration Especially for Youth
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., RCC Hunters Woods
6 – 12 Years Old, Free
Registration Required
Children rotate through a series of activities, including an age-appropriate video and arts and crafts. The activities will be based on the history of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement. Lunch will be provided. Children should be registered in advance. If space permits, registration is available at the door.
The Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration weekend is presented by Reston Community Center in cooperation with the Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate, Cornerstones, Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services, The Closet, the Office of Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, Reston Association, Reston Community Orchestra and local schools.
For more information, contact RCC Offsite and Collaboration Director Maggie Parker at 703-390-6147 or Margaret.Parker@fairfaxcounty.gov. To register for programs, visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com or call 703-476-4500.
About Reston Community Center: RCC offers positive, self-development experiences that enhance the quality of life for all people living and working in Reston. RCC provides a wide range of programs in arts, aquatics, enrichment and lifelong learning. We create and sustain community traditions through special events, outreach activities and facility rentals. To find the programs or events that are right for you, visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com or call 703-476-4500.
# # #
Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request. For further information, contact Reston Community Center at 703-476-4500, TTY 711 or visit the website at www.restoncommunitycenter.com. Reston Community Center is located at 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA, 20191. Reston Community Center is completely accessible to persons with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Enriching Lives. Building Community.
