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Alexandria honored the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 15 with an evening of music, dance, poetry and reflection at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.

Held on what would have been King’s 97th birthday, the city’s 53rd annual commemorative program centered on the theme “Dawn of Justice and Hope.” Clergy from across Alexandria opened the event with the traditional Procession of Faiths.

The Alexandria Children’s Chorus performed “We Are Marching in the Light of God,” followed by an invocation from the Rev. Dr. Quardricos Bernard Driskell of Beulah Baptist Church.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins urged attendees to recognize that advancing King’s vision requires sustained effort.

“If you take nothing else away from Dr. King’s life and his legacy it should be a reminder to each of us that the work of peace is not passive,” Gaskins said. “It is work. Work that Dr. King lost his life for.”

Alexandria’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Planning Committee has organized the commemoration since 1973. The local tradition began a decade before President Ronald Reagan signed legislation in 1983 establishing King’s birthday as a federal holiday.

Planning committee member Rosa Byrd chaired the program, which was produced by Jason Ellis and Momentum Collective. Byrd and Ellis have both been recognized as Living Legends of Alexandria for their contributions to the community.

Throughout the evening, Semone Byrd moved among the audience as a “roving reporter,” asking attendees how King and his teachings had affected their lives.

Featured presentations included Stella Cisney singing “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” and an interpretive dance by Alfred Street Baptist Church. The Alexandria Children’s Chorus concluded the program with “We Are the World.”

“We will keep Dr. King’s dream alive,” Rosa Byrd said.