Dr. John O. Peterson, Sr.: Minister, Humanitarian, and Educator

Dr. John O. Peterson , Sr.

The Virginia Union valedictorian taught sciences in Warwick and Arlington, Virginia. He served as pastor at Alfred Street Baptist Church from 1964 to 2006, expanding membership by more than 1000%, and increasing the budget from $12,000 to $3.5 million. His involvement with the Baptist World Alliance led him to visit more than 27 countries and positioned him to play a significant role in negotiations with the rebels after the civil war in Liberia.  He also served on the Alexandria branch of the NAACP, the Northern Virginia Urban League, the Alexandria School Board, and other local and national organizations.

Dr. Arthur C. Dawkins: Educator and Musician

Dr. Arthur C. Dawkins

This Alexandria native began his pursuit of music by playing woodwinds at age 12. He served as vice principal at T. C. Williams High School. Dr. Dawkins is recognized for founding the Howard University Jazz Repertory Orchestra and as one of the first African-American musicians to play in major venues of post-segregation Washington. He also developed a curriculum of Jazz Oral History, which focused on masters of modern jazz and is housed at the Howard University’s Moorland Spingarn Research Center. For more than 25 years he served as the musical contractor for Arena Stage (Washington, D.C.).