About The King Coalition
The King Coalition was established in the fall of 1985 as a community group to plan the official City of Madison and Dane County observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday along with other events to commemorate the life and accomplishments of Dr. King. The Coalition consists of representatives from religious communities, organized labor, the UW-Madison, United Way, peace groups, service organizations, city and county government, and other individuals committed to equal rights and justice for all people. Coalition activities are made possible through public and private financial sponsorship, in-kind, and volunteer support.
41st Annual Madison & Dane County MLK Day Observance: January 19, 2026
Building Community, Uniting a Nation, the Nonviolent Way
5:15 PM – Freedom Songs Sing-Along | 6:00 PM – Program
Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State Street | Free
Welcoming Marc Lamont Hill
Marc Lamont Hill is a nationally recognized scholar, author, and media commentator whose work champions racial justice, education, and global solidarity. He serves as Presidential Professor at the CUNY Graduate Center and founded The People’s Education Center and Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books, blending academic insight with grassroots activism. He has hosted programs on BET and HuffPost Live, contributed to CNN and MSNBC, authored eight influential books, and has been named one of Ebony’s 100 most influential Black leaders.
Hill’s connection to Dr. King’s legacy runs deep. He has delivered keynote addresses for MLK commemorations at institutions such as Milton Academy and the University of Michigan and spoken at events like Princeton Theological Seminary’s “The Power of Protest: From Civil Rights to Black Lives Matter.” In recent years, Hill has urged audiences to honor King through radical action and resistance, emphasizing that true tribute means continuing the fight for justice. His layered engagement with MLK’s legacy ensures an inspiring and highly relevant 2026 MLK Day celebration.
The program will also feature the MLK Community Choir and presentation of the 2026 MLK Humanitarian Awards by Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Dane County Executive Melissa Agard.
41st Annual Madison & Dane County MLK Day Observance Program Participants
Cora Marrett, MC
Julian Walters
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway
Jasmine Banks
MLK Community Choir
County Executive Melissa Agard
Wendy Ledesma
Leotha and Tamera Stanley
The Rev. Peter Beeson
Roberto Ledesma
Congratulations 2026 Madison & Dane County MLK Humanitarian Award Honorees!
Dr. Justice Castañeda
Armaad Jamaal Eubanks
Gift Akere
Join the: MLK Community Choir
The MLK Community Choir has been an integral part of the official Madison & Dane County King Holiday Observance for many years. The Choir is unique in bringing together community members regardless of musical background for the purpose of performing at this event. It is directed by acclaimed musicians Leotha and Tamera Stanley. No audition is required. To join the Choir community members simply need to attend two rehearsals:
Tuesday, January 13 at 6:30 PM | Saturday, January 17, 11:00 AM. Both rehearsals are at Mt. Zion Baptist Church | 2019 Fisher Street
MLK Free Community Dinner: January 16, 2026
4:30 – 7:00 PM | Gordon Dining & Event Center, 770 W. Dayton St.
Kick-off the King Holiday weekend with fellowship and the annual MLK Free Community Dinner. Dinner served buffet style will include fried and baked chicken, mac n’ cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, sweet potato pie, and more. Join us and share a wonderful meal with friends, old and new, in Dr. King’s spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood!
MLK Ecumenical Service: January 18, 2026
4:30 – 6:00 PM | First Baptist Church
Join us to promote the “beloved community” through spiritual inclusivity. 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.
MLK Youth Call To Service: January 19, 2026
12:00 – 5:00 PM | Madison Central Library
The King Coalition, in partnership with the Urban League of Greater Madison, City of Madison, Dane County, MSCR, Madison Out of School Time (MOST), Madison Public Library, and others is pleased to invite middle school youth to attend the MLK Day Youth Call to Service. Engaging workshops, lunch, and an event t-shirt will all be provided at no cost.
Registration is limited to youth groups serving middle school youth. Space is limited. For more information, please contact Andrew Schilcher at aschilcher@ulgm.org.