The Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Florida, Inc. presents the King Celebration ’22, January 9th – 17th in Gainesville/Alachua County.
This year marks the 38th Year of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Florida, Inc. The mission of the MLK Commission is to continue the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by advocating and promoting nonviolently, the elimination of poverty, racism, and to promote social and economic justice in Alachua County and the State of Florida. The Commissio is returning to in person events this year and will be requiring face coverings and social distancing where possible at all events.
Tuesday, January 11th 6:30 p.m. is the Remembering Martin and Coretta Program that will feature special tributes from the Mu Upsilon Omega and Iota Lambda chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Nu Eta Lambda and Theta Sigma chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The Event is free and will be held at Daysprings Baptist Church, 1945 NE 8th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida. Sponsored by C. Ann Scott and the MLK Commission.
Wednesday, January 12th, 7:00 p.m. is the Town Hall Symposium titled, “The Role of the Black Church in the Modern Social Justice Movement.” The Event is free and will be held at Daysprings Baptist Church, 1945 NE 8th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida. Sponsored by MLK Commission of Florida, Inc.
Friday, January 15th, 12: Noon, Alachua County Courthouse Renaming in honor of the late Honorable Stephan P. Mickle, first African American Lawyer, County Court, Circuit Court, Court of Appeals and District Court Judge. The Event will be held at the Alachua County Courthouse located at 220 South Main Street, Gainesville, Florida. Sponsored by the Stephan P. Mickle Courthouse Naming Committee and the MLK Commission. Event is Free.
Friday, January 15th, 6:00 p.m., Jazz Concert Featuring Philip JazzDad Thomas and the Forever Miles Band at the Bo Diddley Plaza Downtown Gainesville. Sponsored by the Stephan P. Mickle Courthouse Naming Committee and the MLK Commission. Event is Free.
Friday, January 15th, 8:00 p.m. Star Center Theatre and MLK Commission presents the play “THE COLOR PURPLE” Location: Star Center Theatre, 11 NE 23rd Avenue, Gainesville, Florida. Tickets available through the MLK Commission 352-376-2442.
Monday, January 17th, 11:00 a.m. The National Holiday Events will with the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Program and will feature the 2021 Hall of Fame Award Recipient Aeriel Lane, Social Justice Activist and the 2022 Hall of Fame Award Recipient Honorable Stephan P. Mickle (posthumously). The event will be held at the MLK Memorial Gardens Downtown Gainesville, Florida. Sponsored by the MLK Commission.
Monday, January 17th, 12:00 Noon, The Annual Commemorative March/Parade will begin at the Bo Diddley Plaza Downtown Gainesville and end at Citizen’s Field on Waldo Road. The events are sponsored by Cox Communications and Coke Florida Beverages.
Monday, January 17th, 1:00 p.m. The National Holiday Kickoff Program will be held at Citizen’s Field on Waldo Road and will feature Ms. Gabrielle Spencer, Senior, P. K. Yonge Development Research School, and 2022 Edna M. Hart Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award Recipient. The event is sponsored by Cox Communications, Coke Florida and the MLK Commission.
Monday, January 17th, 2:00 p. m. The National Holiday Gospel Program will conclude at Citizen’s Field and feature a National Gospel Artist and local entertainment. The event is sponsored by UF Health. Face Coverings and Social Distancing Required.
