"Legacy: Honoring the Past, Trailblazing the Future" is the theme of the 40th anniversary Martin Luther Community Celebration to be held Sun. January 26, 5 pm at the Mt Zion First African Baptist Church.

Former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney will be the speaker.

The program will feature musical selections from the MLK, Jr. Community Choir, a Children's Choir, and Youth and Young Adults Choir. Leaders from a variety of faith traditions will participate in the event.

In 1985, the Celebration, then sponsored by the Charlottesville NAACP, held its first program. It honored Drewary J. Brown, a civil rights leader and director, MACAA Youth Program, as the first MLK Community Service Award Recipient for fostering longstanding the commitment, principles, works, and ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as demonstrated in the Charlottesville-Albemarle Community.

Since then, the event has honored 36 other members of the Charlottesville area for their commitment to Dr. King's ideals. During its anniversary year, the program will honor 40 years of past award winners while looking to the future with leaders from Piedmont Virginia Community College, UVA, local government, and the community. An offering from the participants will be donated to a community organization.

Prior to the program beginning at 5, a special musical and reading prelude will occur at 4 in the church. Parking for the event is at Mt Zion, 105 Lankford Ave.

For more information, contact Kay Slaughter, katherineslaughter61@gmail.com or 996-3245.