Despite the usually cold, and often snowy weather, annual Martin Luther King Holiday celebrations in Kansas and the Kansas City have historically been the largest celebrations in the region. Drawn by King’s message of equality and non-violence, individuals of all races, religions and ages come together for one or more King Holiday celebrations.
This year, the spirit of the King Holiday will live on, but sadly missing will be the shared in-person commemorations where we raise our voices together in song and end our evenings holding our neighbors’ hands and swaying in solidarity to familiar freedom songs.
King Holiday planners have worked hard to put together interesting, entertaining and informative holiday events for our communities to enjoy. The good news: While the number of events may be few, thanks to our virtual world, everyone has the opportunity to participate across the state, the country and even the world.
Here are some events in our readership area that you might enjoy.
WICHITA
Fri., Jan. 15, – 7:06 p.m.
7th Annual MLK Celebration
Facebook.com/ICTAlpha Sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Eta Beta Lambda Chapter
Moderator: Joseph Shepard
Panelists, KS Reps KC Ohaebosim and Gail Finney and KS Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau and Pastor Jermaine Pennington
Mon, Jan. 18, NOON
Virtual Worship Celebration
Facebook.com/tgwml Sponsored by the Greater Wichita Ministerial League
Featuring Evangelist Dorinda Clark-Cole, Host, Rev. C. Richard Kirkendoll
OLATHE
Mon. Jan. 18, 5:30 p.m.
17th Annual MLK Legacy and Scholarship Virtual Awards Dinner
Sponsored by: The Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy and Scholarship Awards Committee
Honoring Paul Lyons, Overland Park City Council and Student Scholarship Winners
RSVP to mlkingcomm@gmail.com (you will receive a link to the virtual event).
Individuals and organizations who purchased tables and tickets in the past are encouraged to pay $40 per person and $400 per table.
KANSAS CITY, MO
Sun., Jan. 10, 2 p.m.
2021 Greater Kansas City MLK Interfaith Service
FAcebook.com/SCLC Greater Kansas CityMusic by: Tim Whitmer, Millie Edwards, Ah’Lee Robinson, KC Boys Choir/KC Girls Choir, Hazzan Tahl Ben-Yehuda & Friends
Guest Speaker:
Rev. Dr. Traci Blackmon, Exec. Minister of Justice and Witness Ministries of the United Church of Christ
Rabbi Michael Zedek, Rabbi Emeritus, Temple B’nai Jehuda (KCMO) & Congregation Emmanuel, Chicago
2021 Evelyn Wasserstrom Awards Receipients: Jim Nunnelly and Tara Raghuveer
Mon., Jan. 18 5:30 p.m.
Good Trouble at the Ballot: The Resilience of Black Voting Power”
Zoom Call, registration required. To register go to: www.sclcgkc.org or www.facebook.com/SCLCGreaterKansasCity
Sponsored by: SCLC Greater Kansas
Moderator: Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver II (D-Missouri)
Panelists: Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Georgia) and Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Penn.) who all represent congressional districts that helped turn the November election.
The celebration will end with an awards ceremony honoring those in Kansas City who have made significant contributions toward the continued advancement of justice.
JOHNSON COUNTY
Tues., Jan. 19, 9:30 a.m.
15th Annual MLK Community Celebration
Watch Live Stream @ www.mnu.edu/events/martin-luther-king-jr-community-celebration
Sponsored by: Johnson County NAACP & MidAmerica Nazarene University
Martin Luther King Jr. Living Legacy Award Recipient – Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent Topeka Public Schools
WYANDOTTE COUNTY
Mon., Jan. 18, 11 a.m.
KCK Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Facebook.com/KCK Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
This abbreviated program of this long-running annual event will include greetings by Mayor David Alvey, history and purpose of the event by the Rev. Tony Carter, music, words of encouragement by District Atty. Mark Dupree Sr. and the awarding of 25 scholarships to deserving high school seniors. Donations to the organizations scholarship fund can be made to the Greater Kansas City Foundation at gkccf.kimbia.com/king01.
SALINA
Mon., Jan. 18, Noon
St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church MLK Program
Facebook.com/St Johns Missionary Baptist Church
Details of the program have not been finalized.
Mon., Jan 18, 7 p.m.
Martin Luther King Holiday Celebration
Facebook.com/kwustudentdevelopment
Sponsored by Multicultural Student Affairs Association, Kansas Wesleyan University
This program includes music and dance, plus music by the St. John’s MBC Choir. The keynote presenter will be
Rev. Dr. Allen D. Smith, Director of Diversity for KWU and Pastor of St. John’s MBC.
TOPEKA
Canceled
Annual Living the Dream Celebration events.