The Center for Energy Education will honor five local leaders Thursday during its observance ahead of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The celebration of King’s legacy will be through the lens of community service and environmental justice by showcasing local luminaries dedicated to leading, building and improving their communities through a range of service activities. 

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the center’s campus located at 460 Airport Road in Roanoke Rapids and the featured guest speaker — North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs —  will discuss her actions toward the marginalized and disenfranchised.

Community members who will be honored are: Brenda Few, president, Women on the Move; Ginny Lewis, CEO/president, Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce; Betty Macon, public health educator, Halifax County Health Department; James Mendenhall, operations director, Deriva Energy; and Kayla Taylor, community outreach coordinator, ECU Community Health.

“Our special guest and honorees truly reflect the character, virtues and good work of Dr. King,” said Mozine Lowe, executive director of C4EE. “Join us as we celebrate their notable service.”