Volunteer Arlington Presents 2024 Beloved Community Award

Arlington, VA – Volunteer Arlington selected Dr. Alfred O. Taylor, Jr. as the second recipient of its Beloved Community Award and will present the award to Dr. Taylor at the MLK Day of Service opening program on Monday, January 15, 2024.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of a beloved community in which everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger, and hate. The Beloved Community Award recognizes an exemplary leader who embodies this vision.

Volunteer Arlington is honored to recognize Dr. Taylor’s efforts to build a beloved community.

Dr. Taylor has been actively involved in Arlington, both civically and socially, his entire life. This includes serving as the President of the Green Valley Civic Association (formerly known as the Nauck neighborhood) and the Chairman of the Deacon’s Ministry at Macedonia Baptist Church. After dedicating his professional life to education, he continued his efforts to help build a beloved community through his book, “Bridge Builders of Nauck/Green Valley: Past and Present.” In this book, he memorializes the history, growth, and success of more than 100 Green Valley residents who contributed to building a community life, which their residents were being denied. In the process, Dr. Taylor captured their legacy for future generations. 

“As a community historian, Dr. Taylor has given us all a gift,” said Lisa Fikes, President and CEO of the Leadership Center for Excellence. “He cared enough to capture the stories of leaders working daily to create a beloved community during segregated times. Through Dr. Taylor’s vision and collection of these stories, we all have the chance to be

reminded of our painful history, yet remember and appreciate the heroes who cared for their neighbors through it all. They, like Dr. Taylor, serve as guiding lights for our future.”

Please join us on January 15, 2024, at Washington-Liberty High School for the MLK Day of Service opening program, during which Volunteer Arlington will honor Dr. Alfred O. Taylor, Jr. 

Learn more about the MLK Day of Service and sign up to volunteer at volunteerarlington.org/mlk. There are opportunities to volunteer both in person and virtually.

About Volunteer Arlington

Volunteer Arlington, a public-private partnership between the Leadership Center for Excellence and Arlington County, connects individuals, groups, and businesses to local nonprofit and county volunteer opportunities. The mission of the Leadership Center for Excellence is to connect, develop, and inspire leaders for personal growth, civic engagement, and community impact. For more information, visit leadercenter.org or volunteer.leadercenter.org.