CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Chairman of the Black Heritage Festival, Jim Griffin expressed concern on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the apparent move away from diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and a lack of young people about the life of the civil rights leader.

The prayer vigil planned by the Black Heritage Festival has been rescheduled to Monday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” Griffin said when leaders call for an end to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and departments, it has a chilling effect on the African American community.

“Being a West Virginian, I’m a little concerned about whether or not the idea of being able to accomplish the things he said in his “I Have a Dream” speech is still attainable,” Griffin said.

West Virginia produced the first African American member of the Board of Directors for General Motors, Leon Sullivan, and the “Father of Black History,” Carter Woodson. Woodson championed Black history at a time when others were trying to erase it. His Negro History Week is now Black History Month.

“I think we can say West Virginia has done some great things,” Griffin said. “But I’m a little concerned right now about the climate of the nation.”

Being a witness in the civil rights struggles of the 1960s, Griffin said as a state we have a lot to be proud of, like the Niagara Movement, which was the precursor to the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), held some of their first meetings in Harper’s Ferry, the site of the John Brown Raid in 1859.

“The second meeting was held here in West Virginia, and out of the Niagara movement came what we now know to be the NAACP,” Griffin said.

Griffin said the young people of today are not educated about the struggles of his generation and don’t really know Martin Luther King, Jr. and his struggles for equality. Each year is a day dedicated to making Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. a priority and educating a new group of young people about his legacy and struggles.

“Seven out of the 10 couldn’t tell you anything about Martin Luther King Jr.,” Griffin said. “I don’t think they appreciate the sacrifices that generation made.”

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