2018 marks the 34th Year of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Florida, Inc. established in 1984. 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 public is invited to attend the following King Celebration 2018 Activities January 7th thru 15th in Gainesville and Alachua County:
Sunday, January, 7th the 33rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Hall of Fame Banquet will be held at the Best Western Gateway Grand Hotel, reception, 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:30 pm, featuring the “State of the Dream Address” by the Honorable Rodney J. Long, Founder & President, of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Florida, Inc. This year’s theme is: “Back to Basics: Speaking Truth to Power.’” Donations are $65.00 each with no tickets sold at the door. The Twenty-eighth Annual Edna M. Hart Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award sponsored by Publix Supermarket Charities, Inc., UF Health, and Gainesville Regional Utilities will be presented to Mr. Samuel J. Ray, Senior, P.K. Yonge Research School (see attached bio).
Tuesday, January 9th is the Remembering Martin and Coretta Program to be held at the Upper Room Church of God In Christ, 3537 NE 15th Street, Gainesville, Florida. This year’s event will showcase our fifth annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Oratorical Contest Winner, Elana Rollins, 8th Grader, PASSAGE Academy School. The event will also feature special tributes by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Admission is free.
Wednesday, January 10th is the Town Hall Symposium titled, “Know Your Rights with Law Enforcement – A Community Dialogue.” The Town Hall forum will be held at 6:30 pm at the MLK Multi-Purpose Center located at 1028 NE 14th street. The event is sponsored by Glassman & Zissimopulos Attorneys at Law. Admission is Free.
Thursday, January 11th The Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission will sponsor the 8th Annual Youth Talent Extravaganza featuring “Choirs on Parade,” for elementary, middle and high school students at 6:30 pm the MLK Multipurpose center located at 1028 NE 14th street. Admission is free.
Friday, January 12th – the Annual Black History Cultural Brain Bowl and Ninth Annual Spelling Bee sponsored by Gainesville Regional Utilities, Infinite Energy and Gator Domino’s will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the MLK Multi-Purpose Center located at 1028 NE 14th street, Gainesville, Florida. Admission is free.
Monday, January 15th– the National Holiday Activities will begin at 11:00 am at the MLK Memorial Gardens in Downtown Gainesville with the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Program for our 2018 Hall of Fame Award Recipient Evelyn Foxx, President, Alachua County NAACP and the 2018 Edna M. Hart Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award Recipient Mr. Samuel J. Ray, Senior, P.K. Yonge DRS. The event is sponsored by McDonald’s of Gainesville and Robert A. Rush, Attorneys at Law. The event is free and open to the public.
The National Holiday Kick Off Program sponsored by Florida Blue will feature Mr. Samuel J. Ray, Senior, P.K. Yonge Research School and this year’s recipient of the Twenty Eighth Annual Edna M. Hart Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award on Monday, January 15th , 12:00 noon at the Bo Diddley Downtown Plaza. Admission of Free and open to the public.
The Annual Commemorative March sponsored by Cox Communications and the City of Gainesville Office of Equal Opportunity will begin at 1:00 pm at the MLK Memorial Gardens to the Martin Luther King, Jr., Multipurpose Center on Waldo Road.
The National Holiday Gospel Program sponsored by UF Health featuring National Recording Artist -Troy Sneed and local talent will conclude the King Celebration Activities on Monday, January 15th, 2:00 pm at the MLK Multipurpose Center. Admission is free.
