The Urban League of Hampton Roads extends our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended the 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Leaders Awards on January 16, 2025, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
Your presence made this evening truly special as we celebrated the remarkable individuals whose dedication to service reflects Dr. King’s legacy of equity, justice, and empowerment.
We were honored to have Dr. Sarah Lewis deliver an inspiring keynote address, emphasizing the transformative power of art and storytelling in creating social change. Her message resonated deeply, reminding us all of the importance of courage and collaboration in our continued fight for justice.
The evening was skillfully hosted by April Woodard, our returning Master of Ceremonies. An Emmy-nominated journalist and co-host of Coast Live, April’s continued commitment to the Urban League and her engaging presence added a special warmth to the celebration.
Together, we raised vital funds to support the Urban League’s mission, advancing education, workforce development, housing, health, and financial literacy programs in our community.
Thank you to our sponsors, honorees, and attendees for your unwavering support. You are the driving force behind our shared vision of a more equitable Hampton Roads.
Stay tuned for event photos, videos, and highlights coming soon!
Together, we are building stronger communities.
PRESS ROOM
For media inquiries related to the 41st Annual MLK Community Leaders Awards, please contact Candice Bryant ([email protected]).
Gilbert Bland, ULHR President and CEO, and Jessica Thomas, Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Dollar Tree/Family Dollar, discuss the historical impact of the annual MLK event, this year’s awardees, and the importance of supporting community organizations. Source: 13NewsNow
Dr. Sarah Lewis
41st Annual MLK Community Leaders Awards Keynote Speaker
“The narratives we live with and we live without every day are costing us our freedoms. We have to ask what we’re seeing and why we are seeing it if we are to live out our dreams.”
Dr. Sarah Lewis is the founder of Vision and Justice and the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Humanities and Associate Professor of the Humanities and Associate Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. Dr. Lewis recently published the highly acclaimed book, “The Unseen Truth: When Race Changed Sight in America.” Our captivating speaker from last year’s MLK Awards, Dr. Clint Smith, reviewed the “Unseen Truth” and wrote “This book has changed the way I look at history. It has changed the way I observe the world.”
In addition to her groundbreaking book, Dr. Lewis is a globally sought-after speaker whose insights on equity and justice have inspired audiences worldwide. Her writing has appeared in leading publications, including The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Artforum. She has also curated influential exhibitions that reimagine race and history, challenging traditional narratives and sparking new conversations.
A graduate of Yale, with advanced degrees from Oxford and Harvard, Dr. Lewis has earned prestigious fellowships, including those from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Hutchins Center. Through her teaching, research, and advocacy, she continues to illuminate the transformative power of art and culture in advancing justice and reshaping our understanding of history.
41ST ANNUAL MLK COMMUNITY LEADERS
We are proud to honor the leaders that guide our community toward social and economic equality..
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
JEREMY BRIDGES
President, Hampton Roads Shipping Association
EDUCATION
Dr. Scott Miller
FINANCE
Victor Branch
Senior Vice President, Bank of America
HEALTH
Dr. Alfred Abuhamad
Executive Vice President, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University
Dean, Eastern Virginia Medical School at ODU
HOUSING
Donovan Duncan
Executive Vice President, Urban Strategies
HOUSING
Kenny Alexander
E.L. Hamm Lifetime Achievement Award
And that’s my job now, and I will continue to do it till the day I die.”
E.L. HAMM Lifetime Achievement Award
Tim Reid
EVENT SPONSORS
PRESENTING SPONSORS
EMPOWERMENT SPONSOR
ADVOCATE OF JUSTICE SPONSORS
Hampton Roads District Council
BRIDGE BUILDER
Landmark Foundation, Inc.
Champions of Equality
Recognition
BECOME AN EVENT SPONSOR
Sponsorships will give the gift of empowerment in our community. Please contact Candice Bryant ([email protected]) for assistance or questions about sponsoring our 2026 MLK event.
$25,000 - Empowerment Sponsor
- Recognition as Empowerment Sponsor on all promotional materials & ULHR platforms (tv, radio, social media).
- Full page ad in commemorative booklet.
- 5 VIP Reception tickets for Thursday, January 16th from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
- Two corporate tables of 10.
- One corporate table donated to local high school and HBCU students.
- Logo and link to corporate site on ULHR website.
- Urban League corporate membership for 25 employees.
- 100% of the donation is tax-deductible.
$10,000 - Advocate of Justice Sponsor
- Recognition as Advocate of Justice Sponsor on select promotional materials & ULHR platforms (social media).
- 5 VIP Reception tickets for Thursday, January 16th from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
- Full page ad in commemorative booklet.
- One corporate table of 10.
- One corporate table donated to local high school and HBCU students.
- Logo and link to corporate site on ULHR website.
- Urban League corporate membership for 10 employees.
- 100% of the donation is tax-deductible.
$5,000 - Bridge Builder Sponsor
- Recognition as Bridge Builder Sponsor on social media.
- Half page ad in commemorative booklet.
- Corporate logo placement on website.
- One corporate table of 10.
- Urban League corporate membership for 5 employees.
- 100% of the donation is tax-deductible.
$2,500 - Champions of Equality Sponsor
- Recognition as Champions of Equality Sponsor on social media.
- Quarter page ad in commemorative booklet.
- Corporate logo on ULHR website.
- One corporate table of 10.
- Urban League corporate membership for 2 employees.
- 100% of the donation is tax-deductible.
PROGRAM BOOKLET ADVERTISEMENTS
Be a part of the spectacular 42nd Anniversary of the MLK Community Leaders Awards by placing your ad in the Commemorative Booklet. This keepsake booklet will feature a historical overview of past MLK awards as well as current MLK Community Leaders Award recipients.
Please contact Candice Bryant ([email protected]) for assistance or questions about placing an ad in our 2026 MLK event program booklet.
DONATE TODAY
With your change, we’re able to make a change.
For more information, please contact Ms. Priscilla Smith at 757-627-0864 or [email protected]
The Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and contributions are tax deductible as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. EIN 54-1083985.