News - January 14, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 14, 2025

CONTACT: Elizabeth Whitman | 703.915.5830 | Elizabeth.Whitman@finnpartners.com

Concerned Citizens Network of Alexandria and Goodwin Living™ Present Two-Part Speaker Series

January 30 Event to Explore Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy

Alexandria, Va. – On January 30, 2025, the Concerned Citizens Network of Alexandria (CCNA) and Goodwin Living™ will host the first event in a two-part speaker series, The Journey Continues. The event, “Through My Eyes”, will honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through the personal accounts and interpretive insights of Alexandria leaders and citizens. This session will explore key moments in King’s legacy, including his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech and his funeral.

This event is part of The Journey Continues, a two-event series honoring President Abraham Lincoln and King that aims to inspire reflection, foster meaningful dialogue and promote civic engagement by bringing together students and older adults. Attendees will explore the shared values of faith, leadership, and a commitment to justice and equality that defined these two iconic figures in history. The speaker series will take place during January, honoring Dr. King, and February, honoring Black History Month and President Lincoln’s birthday. Students from Alexandria City Public Schools will attend the two community conversations and will be invited to submit questions to the panelists. Both events will feature Q&A sessions and be livestreamed on YouTube.

“CCNA is proud to partner with Goodwin Living and present this speaker series honoring the impactful legacies of President Abraham Lincoln and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said COL (RET) Jim Paige, CCNA Executive Director. “Both men rose to the occasion of their time. This collaboration connects generations, bringing older adults and students together to reflect on key historical moments that influenced our society and drive progress for the future.”

“We are grateful to cohost this speaker series with CCNA honoring the legacies of Dr. King and President Lincoln,” said Goodwin Living President and CEO Rob Liebreich. “The series aims to unite older adults and students in a powerful exploration of historical milestones and intergenerational learning. We will examine pivotal moments in the lives of Dr. King and President Lincoln that transformed our society and remain relevant and important today.”

For the first event, which takes place January 30, the featured speakers and panelists are:

• COL Jim Paige, retired Army colonel and executive director of the Concerned Citizens Network of Alexandria (Moderator)
• Rob Liebreich, President and CEO, Goodwin Living (Opening Speaker)
• Mark Raabe, Goodwin House Alexandria resident and former FBI agent assigned to the “I Have a Dream” speech (Panelist)
• Gwen Day Fuller, Alexandria citizen who attended the “I Have a Dream” speech (Panelist)
• Fannie Allen, Alexandria citizen who attended King’s funeral and former federal government employee (Panelist)

The general public can attend the event virtually on January 30, 2025 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. ET at https://youtube.com/live/CQCI3GNk4Ls?feature=share.

The second event, “Their Faith Moved Mountains,” will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. This discussion will examine how faith influenced the moral convictions of President Lincoln and Dr. King, with insights provided by theologians and historians. CCNA and Goodwin Living will provide additional details on the second community conversation in early February.

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About CCNA (CCNAlexandria.org): The Concerned Citizens Network of Alexandria (CCNA) is dedicated to fostering the success of students, families, and the broader community through equity-driven initiatives and collaborative efforts. Founded in 2009, CCNA advances its mission through strategic partnerships with a diverse range of community stakeholders. This work is driven by three core programs: 1. Reach & Rise for Excellence (RARE): Delivering mentorship and academic support to empower students to achieve their full potential; 2. Parent Engagement: Fostering stronger relationships between parents and schools to enhance educational outcomes and build collaborative communities; and 3. Community Forums: Creating inclusive platforms to address critical issues, encourage dialogue, and develop actionable solutions that benefit the entire community.

About Goodwin Living™ (GoodwinLiving.org): Goodwin Living™ touches the lives of thousands of people every day through its range of senior living communities, specialized healthcare services, community partnerships and philanthropic endeavors. With a mission to support, honor and uplift the lives of others (specifically older adults and those who care for them), Goodwin Living leads the way in expanding the places and ways we can all thrive and find purpose as we age. Older adults will discover options that meet them where they want to be, and those options are managed and provided by team members who represent more than 65 countries. Goodwin Living has been a Washington Post Top Workplace for six consecutive years and was named the #2 Top Workplace for 2024. Get more information at GoodwinLiving.org or by following Goodwin Living on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.