Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, Yale Divinity School professor, an advocate for civil rights and author, will deliver the keynote address at the 2024 Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration on Monday, Jan. 15, at 11 a.m.

Beverly Cosham, the chair of the Reston Community Center’s board, said more is needed to complete Dr. King's work. "More remains ... to achieve the vision of a ‘beloved community’ that Martin Luther King called us to become,” Cosham said.

Barber supports and promotes various workers' and women’s rights and those of people with disabilities. He currently holds the position of president at Repairers of the Breach, serves as co-chair for the National Poor People's Campaign, and has previously served as the president of the NAACP North Carolina chapter.

Barber has written three books, the latest, "We Are Called to Be a Movement," (Workman Publishing Company, 2020). The book will be available for purchase following his presentation.

The 2024 Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration offers a variety of events, activities, and projects suitable for families and individuals of all ages.

RCC Events for MLK Day

Saturday, January 13

9 a.m., Community Service Projects at the Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate, 12125 Pinecrest Road, Reston; 6+, free. Reston and Cornerstones benefit from these projects. Contact Ha Brock at 703-435-7986 or ha@reston.org to volunteer.

4 p.m., Reston Community Orchestra Annual Musical Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at RCC Hunters Woods Community Room; $18 senior/$25 adult; free for youth and military. Sopranos Alia Waheed, Beverly Cosham, Dr. Gilbert Pryor, and Al Fatih Academy students perform. One of the four RCO conductor finalists, Mark Irchai, will lead this concert. Tickets are available at the RCC Box Office.

Sunday, January 14

2 p.m., Dan and Claudia Zanes at CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods; all ages, $15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston. Grammy Award-winner Dan Zanes and Haitian American jazz vocalist Claudia Zanes perform old and new songs in this interactive show. The audience can dance and sing in the casual, educationally festive atmosphere. Tickets are available at the RCC Box Office.

Monday, January 15

10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., MLK Birthday Celebration Especially for Youth at RCC Hunters Woods; 6–12 years old, free; registration is required; option to register at the door if space allows. Dr. King and Civil Rights Movement-themed videos and crafts for kids. Lunch provided.

11 a.m., Sold-Out: Keynote by William J. Barber II at RCC Hunters Woods: CenterStage The box office will start a ticket waitlist at 10 a.m. Yale Divinity School professor William J. Barber II has pastored Greenleaf Christian Church since 1993. Civil rights and workers' and women's rights are among causes he advocates. A lunch follows in the community room.

HOSTING: Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate, Cornerstones, Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services, The Closet, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, Reston Association, Reston Community Orchestra, and neighborhood schools partner to host the Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration weekend. Contact RCC Offsite and Collaboration Director Maggie Parker at 703-390-6147 or Margaret.Parker@fairfaxcounty.gov for details. Visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com or call 703-476-4500 to register for programs.