Urban League of Hampton Roads Honors Former Governor

NORFOLK (Jan. 22, 2024) - The Urban League of Hampton Roads (Norfolk, VA) marked the 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Breakfast by honoring a former governor.

Governor Douglas Wilder was honored last Monday, Jan. 15th, at the Urban League event, held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. The event paid tribute to local leaders embodying Dr. King's message of unity and equality in the community, with former governor Douglas Wilder receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Former Gov. Douglas Wilder, the first elected African American governor in U.S. history, received the E.L. HAMM Lifetime Achievement Award. Wilder, recognized for his role in advocating for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, shared that it took eight years to pass the holiday.

Other individuals receiving awards for their outstanding contributions to social and economic equality in various domains were Charlie Hill, from the Hampton Roads Prostate Forum, was honored for health-related efforts, while Peter Blake, the retiring Executive Director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), received recognition in the education category. Awardees also included Harry Lester for economic development, Alexis Swann for finance, the Norfolk Redevelopment Housing Authority (NRHA) for housing, Nykita Doggette as Young Professional Member of the Year, and Lisa Wise-Chapman as Guild Member of the Year.

Gilbert Bland, President & CEO of the Urban League, described the event as a homecoming, emphasizing the diverse attendance of over 1,400 individuals from various backgrounds, including the Navy, police, politicians, service providers, and recipients.

“It was warming to me to see so many people embrace each other and be glad to be in the company of each other,” he said. “That type of spirit lead to camaraderie, which is cooperation, collaboration and hopefully helping our community.”

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