Mourners gather to honor legacy of late NAACP leader King Salim Khalfani

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Community members came together to remember the life of King Salim Khalfani, the former leader of the Virginia National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), on Saturday morning.

On Saturday, Feb. 28, mourners met at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School to eulogize and remember King Salim Khalfani, who served as executive director of the NAACP between 1998 and 2014.

Khalfani passed away on Feb. 9, 2026 at the age of 66, and left behind a monumental legacy, as described by loved ones and family.

During the memorial, his work, such as advocating for fairness and minority business opportunities in the General Assembly, was highlighted.

Loved ones called him an "icon," "giant" and a "man of character."

However, out of all his titles, his family and friends preferred to call him "father," which was cherished amongst them.

"[Khalfani] told me to keep my chin up, no matter what life throws at you. When things feel unfair, tired, you're doubted: chin up and stand tall," said Ra Khalfani, who is King Salim Khalfani's son. "One of the hardest things to think about is when I have kids one day, I won't be able to take them to my dad's house to show them who my hero is."

The service was also a call to action for attendees, who pledged to continue Khalfani's work. Loved ones in the room chanted to "close more prisons," "house more people" and "teach more children."