On Monday, Jan. 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) will attend and speak at the 5th Annual Southern Maryland Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast at St. Mary’s College. The program will highlight the life of Mathias de Sousa, who in 1642 became the first member of the colony’s General Assembly of African descent. 

In addition to Congressman Hoyer, featured speakers include St. Mary’s College of Maryland Professor Garrey Dennie and Dr. Janice Talbert Walthour - educator, NAACP activist, and poet.  Marian Stukes, SMCM Black Student Union President; and Antonio Miguelez, Director of Planning and Operations, Propulsion and Power Department, Naval Air Systems Command will serve as masters of ceremony.  The program will also include musical performances by St. Peter Claver Gospel Choir.   

The Annual Southern Maryland Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast is sponsored by St. Mary’s College of Maryland and the St. Mary’s County Human Relations Commission.  Last year, 325 people attended the event, including leaders from throughout Southern Maryland.

WHO: Congressman Steny H. Hoyer; Dr. Janice Talbert Walthour, educator, NAACP activist, and poet; Professor Garrey Dennie, former speechwriter for Nelson Mandela and St. Mary’s College of Maryland Professor; and Southern Maryland citizens. 

WHAT: 5th Annual Southern Maryland Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast  

WHERE: St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Campus Center – Great Room
18952 E. Fisher Rd in St. Mary's City. 

WHEN:  Monday, Jan. 19, 7 a.m. - Breakfast Service Begins, 8a.m. to 10:30 a.m.-  Program, Hoyer to speak at approximately 9 a.m.