The life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the nation’s “drum major for justice,” will be celebrated during the annual national holiday on Monday, Jan. 18, in a very different way in the Metro Richmond area this year.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, most events will be held virtually and broadcast on television, social media or Zoom.

The City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and Mayor Levar M. Stoney are hosting

“MLK Day: A Day On, Not a Day Off,” a virtual commemoration ceremony 9 a.m. Jan. 18 in conjunction with the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.

Dr. Monroe Harris, board chair of the museum, will talk about the impact of Dr. King during a stroll through the museum.

The event will be streamed on the City of Richmond’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rvaparksandrec/.

Additionally, people can sign up for in-person, limited-capacity volunteer projects around the city at www.surveymonkey.com/r/P777TV2.

Following is a list of events commemorating Dr. King’s life and legacy:

• Virginia Union University will host the 43rd Annual Community Leaders Celebration to honor Dr. King Jr.

The event will be broadcast 9 a.m. Jan. 18 on WTVR-CBS6 in Richmond, on WTKR-CBS3 in Hampton Roads and on VUU’s Facebook page and YouTube channel @VUUTV.

Several leaders and organizations in Richmond and in Hampton Roads will be recognized for their efforts that dem- onstrate Dr. King’s spirit of selflessness and commitment to the empowerment of the “beloved community.”

This year’s award winners are former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award; Delegate Delores L. McQuinn, Policy and Social Justice; Sisters Network Central Virginia, Health Equity; Dr. Patricia Gould-Champ, Faith and Education; Virginia Poverty Law

Center, Economic Justice; and Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Health Equity.

Details: www.vuu.edu or Deborah Alston, VUU’s senior director of alumni relations and advancement services, (804) 342-3936.

• The Henrico Ministers’ Conference is holding its 35th Annual MLK Countywide Worship Service, which will be streamed live 9:30 a.m. Jan. 18, on the Henrico Ministers’ Conference YouTube page: www.youtube.com/channel/ UCBRSFKL2pTSERUU39ZMp0CA.

Dr. Theodore T. Brown, pastor of Quioccasin Baptist Church, will give the sermon, with music and remarks by several others, including soloist Dr. Wanda H. Wherry of Mayfield Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C., the Virginia Union University Concert Choir and St. Peter’s Baptist Church Sunbeam Choir.

Details: Rev. Zynora D. Manson, president of the minister’s conference, at zdmansonfulltone9@gmail.com or (804) 350-7337.

• The Henrico County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Association will hold its 35th MLK Commemorative Celebration at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 18 via the association’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Go to either social media site and search Henrico County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Association.

Fourth District Congressman A. Donald McEachin of Richmond will be the guest speaker.

The annual Lights of Hope, “Keepers of The Dream” scholarship and distinguished community service award recipients will be recognized. Additionally, June graduates’ scholarships will be announced.

Details: Chris Archer, (804) 218-0549.

• Virginia State University and Chesterfield County will hold a virtual panel discussion at noon Jan. 18 to honor Dr. King’s life and legacy.

The theme: “Fly, Run, Walk, Crawl: Moving Forward Toward Social Justice.”

The event will be livestreamed via VSU. edu, VSU Facebook Live and WVST-FM radio.

Joining moderator Mike Street, program director and radio host on WBTJ 106.5 The Beat, will be Dr. Wesley Bellamy, chair of the VSU political science department; Dr. Cheryl Mano of the VSU history department; Dr. Andrew White, former pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Petersburg and Union Branch Baptist Church in Prince George County; Philomena Wankenge, a VSU alumnae and board member of Freedom Fighters D.C.; and Chesterfield County Administrator Joseph P. Casey.

Two nationally broadcast events also are being held to commemorate Dr. King:

• The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington is holding a free, online program at 4 p.m. Jan. 18 honoring Dr. King featuring jazz and poetry.

The 45-minute program will feature Grammy Award-winning bassist, composer and educator Christian McBride in a performance inspired by his social justice-focused album “Movement Revisited: A Musical Portrait of Four Icons” and award-winning poet Evie Shockley.

Details and registration: https://nmaahc.si.edu/ and look for “The People’s Holiday.”

• WNYC and the Apollo Theater are hosting “MLK and the Fierce Urgency of Now,” a special radio presentation 3 to 4 p.m. Jan. 18, that will be simulcast on WNYC 93.9 and Apollo Theater Facebook Live.

Special guests include Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of The New York Times’ 1619 Project; Rev. William Barber II, co-chair of The Poor People’s Campaign; Dr. Bernard Lafayette Jr., co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Com- mittee; Congressman James E. Clyburn of South Carolina; and New York Attorney General Letitia James.