Old Dominion University hosted its 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance on January 29 in the Big Blue Room at Chartway Arena. Dwight S. Riddick II, Ph.D., and Jennell Whitfield Riddick, Ph.D., were the keynote speakers at the event, holding a community conversation titled “Building the Beloved Community,” while Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities President and CEO Jonathan C. Zur received the 2026 Hugo A. Owens Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Award. Photos by Chuck Thomas/ODU.
Keynote speakers Jennell Whitfield Riddick, Ph.D. (left), and Dwight S. Riddick II, Ph.D., host a community conversation titled “Building the Beloved Community” at Old Dominion University’s 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance on January 29. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Jennell Whitfield Riddick, Ph.D. (center) speaks to Master of Ceremonies Cathy Lewis, while Dwight S. Riddick II, Ph.D., listens on at Old Dominion University’s 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance on January 29. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Alicia Peoples (center) and others listen to speakers at Old Dominion University’s 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance in the Big Blue Room at Chartway Arena. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Master of Ceremonies Cathy Lewis (left) shares a light moment with keynote speakers Dwight S. Riddick II, Ph.D., and Jennell Whitfield Riddick, Ph.D., at Old Dominion University’s 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance on January 29. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Joel Rubin (left) and Rev. Dr. Antipas Harris have a conversation during Old Dominion University’s 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance on January 29 in the Big Blue Room at Chartway Arena. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Jonathan C. Zur (center), president and CEO of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, receives the 2026 Hugo A. Owens Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Award, standing alongside Hugo Owens Jr. (left) and Old Dominion University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Jonathan C. Zur, president and CEO of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, speaks on January 29 at Old Dominion University’s 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Jonathan C. Zur, president and CEO of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, speaks on January 29 at Old Dominion University’s 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance. He was this year’s recipient of the Hugo A. Owens Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Award. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Keynote speakers Jennell Whitfield Riddick, Ph.D. (left), and Dwight S. Riddick II, Ph.D., host a community conversation titled “Building the Beloved Community” at Old Dominion University’s 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance on January 29. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Jennell Whitfield Riddick, Ph.D. (center) speaks to Master of Ceremonies Cathy Lewis, while Dwight S. Riddick II, Ph.D., listens on at Old Dominion University’s 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance on January 29. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Alicia Peoples (center) and others listen to speakers at Old Dominion University’s 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance in the Big Blue Room at Chartway Arena. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Master of Ceremonies Cathy Lewis (left) shares a light moment with keynote speakers Dwight S. Riddick II, Ph.D., and Jennell Whitfield Riddick, Ph.D., at Old Dominion University’s 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance on January 29. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Joel Rubin (left) and Rev. Dr. Antipas Harris have a conversation during Old Dominion University’s 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance on January 29 in the Big Blue Room at Chartway Arena. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Jonathan C. Zur (center), president and CEO of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, receives the 2026 Hugo A. Owens Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Award, standing alongside Hugo Owens Jr. (left) and Old Dominion University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Jonathan C. Zur, president and CEO of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, speaks on January 29 at Old Dominion University’s 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU
Jonathan C. Zur, president and CEO of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, speaks on January 29 at Old Dominion University’s 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance. He was this year’s recipient of the Hugo A. Owens Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Award. Photo Chuck Thomas/ODU