MLK Day 2026 Observances

Community members are invited to enjoy a wonderful meal with friends, old and new, in Dr. King’s spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood. There is no cost to attend. Arrive any time between 4:30 and 7:00 PM.

The menu will include baked and fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, mac and cheese, biscuits, sweet potato pie, and beverages.

UW Gordon Dining & Event Center | 770 W Dayton Street

Women In Focus, Inc. envisions a world in which dreams are fulfilled through a worldwide partnership where all barriers to education are erased for students of color. The Scholarship Ball raises funds for scholarships to support both high school seniors and adults returning to continue post-high school education. Women in Focus has awarded over $00,000 in scholarships to Dane County students.

Women In Focus celebrates our 40^th Anniversary with exciting Casino Games for two hours, a delicious buffet dinner, an excellent program with video and dancing.  Emcee his year is Brandon Taylor of WKOW, Channel 27.  Each guest will receive a voucher for $500 of chips for the gaming, and at the end of the games, the chips can be exchanged for raffle tickets for our fabulous prize packages. The Ball will be an elegant festive evening to celebrate 482 WIF scholarships awarded since 1986 and to assist with scholarship funding for 2026!

Purchase your tickets soon. The event typically does sell out.

If we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective.”

From Dr. King’s Christmas Sermon, Atlanta, Georgia, 1967

You are warmly invited to the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Ecumenical Service—a beloved community tradition that brings together people from all faiths, backgrounds, and walks of life. This year’s theme, “Transcending Divisions by Standing Up for Freedom, Justice, Equality and Democracy,” calls us to reflect on Dr. King’s enduring message and to continue building the “beloved community” through compassion, spiritual inclusivity, and shared humanity.

Hosted by the King Coalition in partnership with diverse faith leaders, this service uplifts Dr. King’s vision of justice and unity through music, prayer, reflection, and interfaith dialogue. The program will also feature music by the MLK Community Choir-led by Leotha and Tamera Stanley and an instrumental selection by Dr. Lawren Brianna Ware, Violinist.

The distinguished faith leaders who will participate in the program this evening include:

• Ms. Sadat Abiri, Ease-Of Mind Mental Health Solutions
• Rev. Dr. Marcus Allen, Mt. Zion Baptist Church
• Dr. Josh Garoon, Beth Israel Center
• Rev. David A. Hart, Esq., Sherman Avenue Methodist Church
• Rev. Nina Pryor Stanford, SS Morris AME Church
• Rev. Tim Schaefer, First Baptist Church
• The Rev. Marcio Sierra, Jr., Lighthouse Church and School

Parking Note: The church’s parking lot is located behind the building on Shepard Terrace. Overflow parking is available along Franklin Street and Shepard Terrace. Additional parking is available on nearby streets in the neighborhood. Entry into the main auditorium of the church can be done from the rear (Shepard Terrace) and front (North Franklin Ave.). 

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 on Monday, Jan. 20th.

The 2026 MLK Day Youth Call to Service will be held at the Madison Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin Street, Madison. The main event will run roughly 12-5pm (doors to open around 11:30). 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

Community members are invited to join us for the 41st annual City of Madison & Dane County MLK Day Observance. The event will be held at the Overture Center for the Arts in the Capital Theater.

The program will feature the MLK Community Choir, presentation of the 2026 MLK Humanitarian Awards by Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Dane County Executive Melissa Agard, a Call to Action, and more.

Keynote: 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.

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