About Us: Past & Present

Alice P. Morgan launched the first Memorial Program in honor of Dr. King in 1973.
In 1973, Alexandria civic leader and activist, Alice P. Morgan initiated the City’s first memorial program in honor of the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The program was endorsed by then Mayor Charles Beatley to be held on King’s birthday. This was a decade prior to President Ronald Reagan signing the holiday bill into law in 1983 and three decades prior to every state recognizing and celebrating Dr. King’s birthday as a National Holiday in 2000.
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The above description and a full history of the event is available at the City of Alexandria website, found here. Photos below are just a small sample of photos also available on that site. We encourage you to learn more by visiting the City site.






"In some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty."
-- Dr Martin Luther King Jr
Meet the Planning Committee

Rosa Byrd
Chair Person

Samia Byrd
Secretary

Rev. Timothy Bryant
Committee Member

Lawrence Robinson
Committee Member

William Euille
Committee Member

Semone Byrd
Vice Chair

Darnella McGuire-Nelson
Committee Member

Tara Casagrande
Committee Member

Louise Phillips-Hardy
Committee Member

McArthur Myers
Committee Member

Ellen Nelson
Treasurer

Beatrice McGuire
Committee Member

Heather Jelks
Committee Member

Melynda Wilcox
Committee Member

Jason Ellis
Producer
Photos of Rosa Byrd and Ellen Nelson courtesy of Steven Halperson, Tisara Photography