21st Annual MLK Drum Major Awards & Celebration

The awards program will be both in-person and virtually online and will take place at 5th Street Baptist Church located at 2800 3rd Ave, Richmond, VA 23222

Urban Financial Services Coalition, Boaz & Ruth, Fifth Street Baptist Church, and LUX Church welcome you the to celebrate the life and legacy of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Attendees will listen to soul searching musical presentations, be inspired by presentations from today’s youth, and celebrate the accomplishments of the leaders and organizations that receive this year’s MLK Drum Major Awards for making a difference in the lives others.

This year’s keynote speaker is Senator Tim Kaine

Performances will include: Signs of Praise, the 5th Street Baptist Church Choir, and Radio B.

Event timeline:

5:45 - 6:00 Stage - Meditation Moment

6:00 - 7:30 - Program Begins

7:30 - 8:00 - Networking

This year's program will be both in person and virtual through the "Hopin" event site.

To maximize your experience you may want to take a few moments to update your Hopin profile. Click on the link below for a tutorial on using Hopin.

In-person attendees must present proof of vaccination and wear a mask during the event.

The Honorees

• Monica Jefferson
• Girls for a Change
• Brown Ballerina for a Change
• Virginia Housing

Host and Mistress of Ceremonies: Ditu Kasuyi & Adrienne P. Whitaker, L2L Leadership Institute Co-Founders

Planning Committees, Ditu Kasuyi, Ricky Parker, Manny Pena, Megan Rollins, Craig Watson,, and Adrienne Whitaker

Supporters and Sponsors: Eventfull-Richmond (eventfullrva.com), L2L Leadership Institute, and Max Williams Photography (maxwilliamsphotography.com).

Tim grew up working in his father’s ironworking shop in Kansas City. His parents taught him the value of hard work and showed him how small businesses and technical skills strengthen this country every day. After graduating from the University of Missouri, Tim started his public service career by running a technical school founded by Jesuit missionaries in Honduras. He trained teenagers to become carpenters and welders, equipping them with skills to lift up themselves and their communities. As Tim says, his work in Honduras was “a North Star” that led to his commitment to advance job opportunities for everyone. His time there reinforced three core values that are still a central part of his life today: “Fè, familia, y trabajo” – “Faith, family, and work.”

Tim was elected to the Senate in 2012 as a can-do optimist skilled in bringing people together across old lines of party, race, or region.

Tim has spent his time in the Senate focused on improving the lives of Virginians. He has made boosting job opportunities for everyone a top priority. As co-chair of the bipartisan Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, Tim focuses on expanding access to job-training programs to ensure that students of all ages are prepared with the skills they need for the jobs of the modern economy. Tim has helped lead efforts in the Senate to reduce unemployment for military families and veterans.

As a member of the Armed Services Committee, a Senator from one of the states most closely connected to the military, and the father of a Marine, Tim is focused on crafting smart defense strategy and reducing the risk of unnecessary war. He works to ensure that the military has the resources it needs to keep the country safe and that servicemembers and veterans receive the benefits and care they have earned. He has also been the leading voice against Presidents starting wars without a vote by Congress.

Tim believes that health care is a right, not something reserved just for those who can afford it. He has introduced legislation to expand access to quality, affordable health care and lower health care costs for Americans. He has led the fight to protect young people from harmful tobacco products and successfully passed legislation raising the federal tobacco purchase age from 18 to 21. He introduced and successfully pushed for passage of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, legislation to prevent burnout, suicide, and mental and behavioral health issues among health care workers, which was signed into law in March 2022. He's also introduced legislation to give Americans more options for affordable health insurance, to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and to combat the opioid epidemic.

Tim works on those priorities every day for Virginians as a member of the Armed Services; Budget; Foreign Relations; and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committees. He is Chairman of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support and the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, And Global Women's Issues.

Returning again this year is one best dance mime teams in the country. The art form of Gospel Mime is a unique praise and worship practice within the African American Church community that combines popular gospel music with the theatrical medium of miming.

Radio B is a Southside, Richmond veteran HipHop artist, who has spent close to 20 years performing up and down the east coast, and helping to build the Richmond Hiphop culture in the city. Radio is responsible for creating platforms for artists such as Southpaw Battle Coalition and RVA Rap Elite, as well as AGM's Flag On The Moon annual concert series. Radio has released a substantial and lengthy catalog of music. His most recent album release being “All Art Ain’t Pretty” which is available on all digital platforms. He’s been featured in The Source, Revolt, BET Jams and other national publications. He is also the subject of a mural on Broad St. that features himself surrounded by the many names of slain victims of police brutality. He is also the clothing designer responsible for Richmond’s Own Clothing, Mama Jo’s Collection and the K*ll The Dreamer brand. Radio has established himself as a significant leader in the culture, and continues to push his peers and upcoming artists to raise the quality bar in their music, live events, and performances. Radio's music is content heavy, introspective and lyric driven. He continues to be an ambassador for the city and the community through music, fashion and outreach.

Host or Publisher MLK RVA & L2L Leadership Institute