Reverend Thomas Bowen will be the keynote speaker for the 2nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Worship Service and Awards Program.

The Rev. Thomas Bowen is a nationally recognized leader in faith engagement, social justice advocacy and community empowerment. He most recently served as the Senior Advisor for Public Engagement at The White House, where he led national faith outreach efforts and built partnerships to advance equity, inclusion, and justice.

Bowen is also recognized by Religion News Service as a “religious affairs expert,” he has been a key voice in fostering collaboration between Fatih communities and public institutions.

This Interfaith event is organized by the Missouri Progressive Missionary Baptist Convention, which is associated with the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.  (the denominational home of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)

This event was held last year with a focus on re-creating the March on Washington Rally, but this year the organization will recognize honorees with the Drum Major for Justice Award, given to individuals and/or organizations for achievement in the field of human and civil rights.

The recipients for the 2025 MLK Drum Major for Justice Awards are: The Rev. Dr Teresa Daineley (Missouri Jobs With Justice); Rabbi Susan Table (Ashrei Foundation); Dr. B.J. “The Legendary DJ” Holiday (IHeart Radio); and the Rev. Mary “The Radio Angel” Tillman.

Event organizer the Rev. Darryl Gray notes “Our event will not simply be a celebration of Dr. King, but a Call to Action. This year’s event is particularly critical in light of who we selected as our speaker, and because of the upcoming inauguration. It is our hope that Rev. Bowen (who has served in The White House for the past four years) can share with us the seriousness of the concerns raised across the country regarding the next Trump Presidency. We expect that Rev. Bowen will reveal with us how faith leaders, advocates and activists around the country are preparing a Resistance Movement against Trump’s Project 2025, and Trump’s other anti democratic efforts".

Not able to attend in person? Join virtually via Zoom or Facebook Live:

https://zoom.us/j/95134039908...

Meeting ID: 951 3403 9908

Password: 940321

Dial in: +1 312 626 6799

Meeting ID: 951 3403 9908#

Password: 940321#

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