The 38th annual Madison-Dane County MLK Day Observance will return to an in-person event observance on Monday, January 16 at the Overture Center for the Arts in downtown Madison. There will be a Freedom Songs Singalong from 5:15-5:45 PM and the program will be from 6:00-7:30 PM.

The King Coalition is excited welcome Donzaleigh Abernathy to Madison as our keynote speaker to mark our return back to an in-person event. Ms. Abernathy is the Goddaughter of Martin Luther King , Jr., Daughter of Rev. Ralph Abernathy, and an award-winning actress and writer. She was born in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement as her Father and his best friend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. established the nonviolent social movement which changed the course of American History. Her life began with the bombing of her parents’ home and her Father’s First Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. She and her siblings witnessed and participated in all of the major Civil Rights Movements and Marches. She and her siblings, along with the King children integrated Spring Street Elementary School which led to mass integration of schools in the South in 1965. She witnessed from her home the integral decisions that helped shape American Laws with the creation of the Civil Rights Bill, the Public Accommodations Act, the Voting Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act, Affirmative Action, the National Food Stamp Program, the Free Meal Program for Low Income Students and the creation of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. In 2004, she authored, Partners To History, Martin Luther King, Ralph David Abernathy and the Civil Rights Movement which was nominated as one of the “Best Books for Young Adults” by the American Library Association. She was a contributing author to the Smithsonian Institute’s book In the Spirit of Martin. Her play Birmingham Sunday is a winner of the Tanne Foundation Award.

We are also excited to welcome Telisa Yancy, President of American Family Insurance as MC for this year’s observance. This annual observance includes presentation of the MLK Humanitarian Award by City of Madison Mayor, Satya Rhodes-Conway and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. Noted musician Leotha Stanley will again lead the MLK Community Choir.

The program will also be livestreamed on Madison City Channel and broadcast on WORT 89.9 FM

*** Due to the ongoing public health concerns, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Outstanding Young Person Breakfast will be a pop-up style event open only to awardees. We look forward to seeing you in person next year to celebrate these outstanding young people who are honoring the legacy of Dr. King.

If you are an awardee with questions, please contact Andrew Schilcher at aschilcher@ulgm.org or (608) 729-1225.

Hosted by the King Coalition in partnership with a diverse group of faith community leaders, the MLK Ecumenical Service joins people together from diverse religious traditions, socioeconomic statuses, ethnicities and political beliefs in the spirit of brotherhood/ sisterhood to honor Dr. King’s dream of social justice and equality. It also seeks to develop the “beloved community” through spiritual inclusivity and recognition of our shared humanity.

The national and global climate is a reminder that, “love is the only thing that can turn an enemy into a friend”  -Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This year’s service will be hosted at First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison. Participating faith leaders include:

• Reverend Kelly Asprooth-Jackson, First Unitarian Society Madison
• Pastor James Monroe, New Covenant Church of Christ
• Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice
• Pastor Colier McNair, Blackhawk Church
• Pastor Peter Vang, Blackhawk Church
• Rabbi Betsy, Beth Israel Temple
• Reverend Michael Radowicz, Saint Bernard’s Catholic Church
• Reverend Karen Armina, James Reed UU Congregation

Also featuring:

• Annie Weatherby-Flowers, Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition
• Madison Music Makers
• MJ Almedia Multicultural Ministry Black Hawk Church
• MLK Community Choir led by Leotha and Tamera Stanley

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College Readiness and Success Summit will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, 10:30AM—2:30PM at the Madison College South Campus.

The MLK College Readiness and Success Summit is designed to help students and parents understand the college process. The Summit will also provide resources on precollege program opportunities, how to navigate the college admissions process, and scholarship opportunities.

High school students of color, first-generation students, and parents are encouraged to attend. Students will have chances to win college school supplies. Space is limited.

Help students and families get a jump start on college planning by sharing this opportunity.

Partners include The College Station, Edgewood College, Madison College, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., & Urban League of Greater Madison, Inc.

Click for more info.

Women In Focus has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships since 1986, making a difference in the lives of scholarship recipients. The Dream Ball will be an elegant evening of dinner and dancing to benefit the 2023 WIF Scholarship Fund and honor the vision and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. More information at https://womeninfocusmadison.org.

Due to ongoing public health concerns, the MLK Community Dinner has been cancelled for 2023. We look forward to being back in person next year to kick off the MLK Day weekend with a community meal bringing us together.

In lieu of the community meal, the King Coalition is making a contribution to support the work of Little John’s and Feeding the Youth to transform food excess into accessible, chef-quality meals for everyone, regardless of their means.

Ready to heat and eat meals will be provided on Monday, January 16 from 1:00-3:30 PM at two pickup locations:

Feeding the Youth’s Office
5 N. Pinckney St., Madison

East Madison Community Center
8 Strauble Ct., Madison