CALVERTON (Jan. 15, 2023) – Today, The Moore-Miller Inauguration kicked off with an Evening of Faith and Community at the Kingdom Fellowship A.M.E Church in Calverton, Maryland. This non-denominational celebration brought together the community, faith-based artists, and faith leaders from across Maryland.

“Our diversity is our strength,” said Governor-Elect Wes Moore. “This is Maryland. People from all across the state united in honoring and celebrating our faith. This is what makes a community. We walk in faith and lead with love.”

“We are public servants committed to people, grounded in our faith, and wholly focused on building a better future for Maryland,” said Lt. Governor-Elect Aruna Miller. “I am overjoyed with the love on display tonight. Together, there is nothing we can’t achieve.”

The program included musical performances by Maryland’s own Lillie Grace, the Piscataway Conoy Tribe, First United Methodist Church TAGE of Steel band, Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand Singers, Wintley Phipps, JJ Hairston, Asian American & Pacific Islander Youth Choir, Anthony Brown and group theARpy, and Grammy award winning gospel singer Yolanda Adams.

Faith leaders from across the state offering remarks and statements of faith include Rev. Jerome Stephens, Pastor Matthew Watley of the host church, Bishop Darin Moore, Claire Waggoner, Imam Walid Eliwa, Priest Digalakote L. Narayanachar, Bishop Carl Pierce, Rev. Jamilia Woods, Sister Rita Michelle Proctor, Rev. Derrick L. Green, Bishop Angel Nunez, Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt, Pastor Qismat Alim, Priest Bhai Sawinder Singh, Bishop Antonio Palmer, Bishop John Bryant, and Pastor Dr. Henry P Davis, III.

Highlights of the statements of faith include:

• Bishop Darin Moore’s appeal for “naive optimism and wise hope.”
• Claire Waggoner of the Buddhist Temple in Poolesville with a reminder from the Dalai Lama that “The future depends on the present.”
• Bishop Carl Pierce declaring Gov.-Elect Moore “understands the assignment.”
• Rev. Jamilia Woods offering the “grace to pursue congenial collaboration and to establish sustainable solutions.”
• Bishop Angel Nunez asserting, “There can be unity in diversity.”

Other planned inaugural events include a Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 16th, and The People’s Ball on January 18th. More information about the inaugural schedule can be found at https://www.mooremillerinauguration.com/.

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Wes Moore is the Governor-Elect of the State of Maryland. He is a U.S. Army combat veteran who led soldiers in combat with the 82nd Airborne Division, a Rhodes Scholar, former small business owner, and former CEO of one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty organizations. Learn more at www.wesmoore.com.