City of Newport News Honors Dr. McKinley L. Price with Commemorative Street Sign Unveiling

The City of Newport News honored the leadership, service, and legacy of the Honorable Dr. McKinley L. Price with the unveiling of a commemorative street sign bearing his name on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. The ceremony brought together city leaders, elected officials, community members, friends, and colleagues to celebrate Dr. Price’s more than 12 years as mayor and decades of public service, highlighting Dr. Price’s leadership and his lasting influence on the city’s progress.

Dr. Price served as mayor of Newport News for three terms, from 2010 to 2022, guiding the city through a period of growth, redevelopment, and community-focused initiatives. Dr. Price’s community service was highlighted by being appointed chair of the Newport News School Board for two years, during his eight years of service, from 1984-1992.  In 1994, Dr. Price received the President’s Humanitarian Award from the Virginia Peninsula Chapter of 100 Black Men, and in 1996, he received the Presidential Citizenship Award from Hampton University. The Peninsula Chapter of the National Conference for Community and Justice presented him with their Humanitarian Award in 1996.  In 1998, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, honored him as Citizen of the Year during the Mid-Atlantic 44^th Annual Regional Conference.  The Daily Press Newspaper awarded Dr. Price “Citizen of the Year” for 2005, which highlighted his Co-Chairmanship of the organization People to People, whose mission is to improve race relations and the quality of life in Newport News.  It also commended him for being a founding member of the Virginia Peninsula Chapter of 100 Black Men.  They recognized him as the Role Model of the Year in April 2011.  The Price Family was the Honored Family during Hampton University’s 2010 Black Family Conference, and he was the Founder’s Day speaker at Hampton in 2011. Thomas Nelson Community College awarded him the TNCC Medallion Award during commencement exercises in May 2011.  He has served as Chairman of the Board for Riverside Health System Foundation, Vice Chair of the Riverside Health System Board, and Immediate Past Chairman of the Thomas Nelson Community College Board.  In addition, Dr. Price was appointed by Governor Warner to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Board.  Dr. Price served as the President of the African American Mayors Association (AAMA), an organization representing over 500 African Americans across the United States, from May 2020 through May 2021.

A lifelong resident of Newport News, Dr. Price graduated from Collis P. Huntington High School in 1967 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Hampton Institute, now Hampton University. He later served in the United States Army, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant, before earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Howard University and performing a general anesthesia residency at Provident Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He established a successful dental practice in Newport News and became a respected leader in his profession, receiving numerous honors and recognitions. In 1989, he was elected by his peers as President of the Peninsula Dental Society, notably as the first black president of this organization.  He was also named "Dentist of the Year" by the Old Dominion Dental Society.  Dr. Price is a Fellow in the Virginia Dental Association, the American College of Dentists, and the International College of Dentists.  He served on the Board of Directors and as Chairman for Delta Dental of Virginia. Following 47 years of a successful dental practice, Dr. Price retired in December 2024.    He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Mariners’ Museum, as a Commissioner on the Peninsula Airport Commission, and volunteers providing dental care for inmates in Newport News jails. When he has spare time, he is an avid golfer, tennis player, and jazz enthusiast.

Image courtesy of Brian Washington, Multi-Media Specialist with the City of Newport News