WICHITA
Mon., Jan. 20, 7:30 am: ARISE 9th Annual Dr. MLK Heroes and Sheroes Scholarship Breakfast, Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom, Wichita State University. For tickets call 316-258-2749. COST $30
Mon., Jan. 20, noon: Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, WSU Metroplex, 29th & Oliver. Keynote speaker: Pastor Kneeland Brown, Tabernacle Bible Church. Vendors & community resources available. FREE
Mon., Jan. 20, 2 – 4pm: MLK Luncheon 2025, WSU Metroplex, 29th & Oliver. Lunch with the Greater Wichita Ministerial League and guest speaker. COST $40 https://bit.ly/3DDb2YH
Fri., Jan. 24, 4:30 – 7:30 pm: Masters and Mentors, Urban League, 2418 E 9th St. Day of service – the event will focus on mentoring and empowering at risk and justice involved youth in the community. Raise awareness about racial disparities in juvenile justice. Strengthen community ties through mentorship and skill building. Keynote speaker is Raneisha Hunter, Hunter’s Journey Family Therapy. FREE
KANSAS CITY, MO
Mon., Jan. 12, 2:30 p.m.: SCLC MLK Interfaith Service, Community Christian Church, 4601 Main Street. Theme: “The Only Way Forward Is Together” with music by Lezlie Zucker, Millie Edwards and Charlie Williams. FREE
Fri., Jan. 17, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m: The Metropolitan Community College Foundation presents 2025 Chancellor’s Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Luncheon, Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd. Keynote speaker: Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr; and Alvin Brooks Kansas Citian Inspiration Award recipient Bridgette Williams, and event emcee Nick Haines. Contact Ryan Morehead, ryan.morehead@mcckc.edu or 816-604-1901.
Sat., Jan. 18, 8:30 am: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc – Beta Lambda Chapter’s Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Observance Event UMKC Atterbury Student Success Center, Pierson Auditorium, 5000 Holmes St. Continental breakfast; program begins at 9:30 am with panel discussion “What’s Next For The Black Community:Building Our Agenda And Taking Action.” Panelists are Pastor Darren Edwards, United Believers Community Church; the Rev. Dr. Vernon Percy Howard Jr., Saint Mark’s Church KCMO; Dr. Toya Like, associate dean and professor of humanities and social science.
Mon., Jan. 20, 6 p.m. SCLC MLK Mass Celebration, St. James United Methodist Church, 5540 Wayne Ave. “Where do we go from here?” with panelists Dr Jennifer Collier; U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver; Kerry Muhammad; Janay Reliford; Bishop James Tindall; Ryan Sorrell; Dwayne Williams; Councilwoman Melissa Robinson. 2025 Award recipients: Community Service Award – Family of Cameron Lamb; Legacy Award – the Rev. Dr. Samuel E. Mann; and President’s Award – Kevin Woolfolk.
Mon., Jan. 20, 9 am – 12 pm: MLK Jr. Walk, starting at 15th & the Mahomies Playground at MLK Jr. Square Park. Ending at Bruce R Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, 3700 Blue Pkwy.
Mon., Jan. 20, 12 – 1 pm. Brown Bag Concert – MLK Jr. Celebration, Westport Presbyterian Church, 201 Westport, KCMO. FREE
KANSAS CITY, KS AREA
Wed., Jan. 15, 6 – 8 pm: Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration for Teens, KCK Main Library, 625 Minnesota Ave.. Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ‘s birthday with a screening of the film “Our Friend Martin,” followed by a community art project and cake. Event is for ages 9 to 19. Please register by calling the Main Library – call Chantel at 913-295-8250.
Sat., Jan.18, 3 p.m.: 4th Annual I Have A Dream / MLK Celebration, Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS. Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the aim of uniting individuals from all walks of life to reflect, connect, and commit to fostering love and unity in our community. Four distinguished speakers represent diverse faiths and perspectives: Rabbi Stephanie Kramer offers insights from the Jewish faith on unity and compassion; Iman Mohamed Herbert shares lessons from the Islamic tradition on love and mutual respect; The Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka provides Christian reflections on community restoration; and African-American Pastor Marvin Daniels speaks on the enduring call for justice and reconciliation. This hour-long program will also feature music and dance performances. Following the program participants will gather to share various breads, a communal blessing, and meaningful conversations.
Mon., Jan. 20, 1 – 2:30 pm: Darkness and Heading Towards Joy!, First Christian Church, 148 Nettleton Ave., Bonner Springs KS. Performances by Clark Middle School Choir, BSHS Diversity Ambassadors and more. FREE
JOHNSON COUNTY, KS
Mon., Jan. 20, 10 am – 1 pm: MLK Jr. Day of Service & Celebration, 16100 W. 135th, Indian Creek Library Branch, Olathe, KS. A day of service projects for local nonprofit agencies and celebrate with learning, storytime and crafting activities. The library will have several projects that you can assist with. MLK Jr. Food Drive: Barrels for non-perishable donations available at both libraries from Jan. 19 – Feb. 16 to benefit local pantries that partner with Harvesters. FREE
Mon., Jan 20, 5:30 pm: 21st Annual MLK, Jr. Legacy and Scholarship Awards Dinner. The Sheraton Overland Park, 6100 College Blvd, Overland Park. Honoring Olathe Mayor John Bacon. Guest speaker Chief of Police Overland Park, Doreen Jokerst and Student Scholarship Awards winners. Cost $79
Mon, Jan 20, 10:30 am: Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice and Democracy: Celebrating 45 years. Memorial Hall, 600 N 7th. KCKS. Guest speaker, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III.
Mon., Jan. 20, 2 – 5 pm: MLK Jr. Day of Service & Celebration, Downtown Library, 260 E. Santa Fe St. Olathe, KS. The library will have several projects that you can assist with. FREE
TOPEKA
Mon., Jan. 13, – Fri. Jan. 17: Respect for Elders and Pre-Schoolers Week. Members of Living the Dream, Inc. and community volunteers will present storytelling throughout this week about the life and legacy of MLK to various Topeka-area pre-school students and will be delivering personal care baskets to select Topeka-area senior centers in recognition of elderly citizens.
Tue., Jan. 14, 6 pm: Education Outreach Day, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, Marvin Auditorium, 1515 SW 10th Street. The 18th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Poetry Competition for students in Grades 5 – 12.
Thu., Jan. 16,. 11:30 am: Governor’s Annual MLK March and Proclamation Signing, from south doors of the Kansas Capitol. Proclamation signing on the first-floor rotunda around noon. The traditional march around the Kansas Statehouse will be led by Gov. Laura Kelly, legislators, and members of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission. The march will culminate with Kelly signing the MLK proclamation. Keynote speaker is Donna Rae Pearson, curator at the Kansas Museum of History.
Sat., Jan. 18, 5:30 pm: Scholarship and Community Awards Banquet, Ramada Hotel & Convention Center, Regency Ballroom, 420 SE 6th St. Program starts at 6:30 pm. Guest speaker is Ernest Thomas, actor and community activist. Graduating high school senior scholarship winners and community awards recipients will be recognized. COST $85 – for tickets contact livingthedream785@gmail.com.
Sun., Jan. 19, 6 pm: MLK Communitywide Worship Service Love Fellowship Church, 2636 SE Minnesota Ave. The Topeka Ministers MLK Celebration in partnership with Living the Dream, Inc. is hosting a community worship service. The Rev. Marcus Clark, pastor. Guest speaker is the Rev. Delmar White, pastor of the New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Musical selections will be provided by the New Mount Zion Church Choir, Love Fellowship Praise Team, and the Parker Sisters.
Mon., Jan. 20, 5:30 pm: Dr. King National Holiday and Day of Community Service, 31st Annual Community MLK Celebration and Chili and Soup Dinner, New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2801 SE Indiana Ave – the Rev. Delmar White, pastor. The Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Park hosts the Student Recognition Awards program; winning student artwork will be on display. Special musical selections will be provided by a variety of diverse groups. Program begins at 7 pm with keynote speaker Lt. Col. Brian Gregory of the Kansas National Guard. Representation will also be provided by the Jewish, Mennonite, Baha’i, and Islamic faith community.
Tue., Jan. 21, 9 am: MLK Day of Community Service, Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries. Check in at the Shelter Building, 600 N. Kansas Ave. Volunteers will be sorting clothing and serving meals. All volunteers must be age 13 or older unless accompanied by an adult. Volunteers are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes and bring canned goods or peanut butter. To register for the various shifts, visit https://bit.ly/3PiD2mW
Wed., Jan. 22, 6 – 7 pm: 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Washburn University Memorial Union, Rooms A and B, 1700 SW College Ave. Join the Washburn community as it remembers and continue exploring the legacy of Dr. King. Guest speaker is Dr. Beryl New, Kansas State Board of Education. FREE
HUTCHINSON
Fri., Jan. 17, 6 pm: Kids Movie Night, Hutchinson Community College Stringer Fine Arts Center, 600 E. 11th St. event presented by HutchCC, the City of Hutchinson Human Relations Office and the NAACP.
Fri., Jan. 17, 6 pm: : Money Mastery 101, Hutchinson Community College Stringer Fine Arts Center, 600 E. 11th St.Q&A session, consultations with industry experts, budgeting and credit, investments, life insurance, trust and estates, family planning, home buying 101, entrepreneurship 101. FREE
Sat., Jan. 18, 11 am: : #Leadthechange Summit. Hutchinson Community College Stringer Fine Arts Center, 600 E. 11th St. Empowerment workshops for children and adults with several guest speakers. The future of our community mattersThe vendor Fair. FREE
Sun., Jan. 19, 2 p.m. The Community Celebration, Hutchinson Community College Stringer Fine Arts Center, 600 E. 11th St. Featured speaker: Dr. Marche’ Fleming-Randle, Wichita State University, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer. 3:30 pm: the concert: Songs of Faith
Mon, Jan 2o, 10 am: The Unity Project. The Community Celebration, Hutchinson Community College Stringer Fine Arts Center, 600 E. 11th St. A day of connecting people and building a stronger community. Together we will create care packages that service the needs of our community period
LAWRENCE, KS
Mon., Jan. 20, 10:30 am: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration, Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., Lawrence, KS. Honoring Dr. King and celebrating his legacy with a day of community-focused events for the whole family. Urusula Minor, president of the NAACP Lawrence branch, will give a welcoming statement and emcee. 10:30–11:15 am in auditorium; Storytime with local poet and musician Barry Washboard Barnes. 11:15 am–12 pm in Readers’ TheateR; MLK Day Craft for Kids. 12–1 pm in auditorium; Community lunch provided by Taco Zone. 1–2 pm in auditorium; Angela Bates, executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society, will give a slide presentation about Nicodemus. FREE
MANHATTAN
Jan. 14 – Feb. 7: Exhibit “Roots and Resonance,” Manhattan Arts Center, 1520 Poyntz Ave. Reception on Sat., Jan. 18, 2 – 4 pm at the MAC – community celebration in partnership with the Manhattan Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Committee.
Fri., Feb. 7, 5 – 7 pm: Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills Reception at the MAC, 1520 Poyntz Ave. Huge exhibit and celebration. FREE
Sat., Jan 18, 2 pm: MLK Jr. Community Celebration, Manhattan Arts Center, 1520 Poyntz Ave. Awards, refreshments, and speaker Curtis Pitts, CEO of International Institute to Improve Race Relations. FREE
FORT SCOTT
Wed., Jan. 15, 12 pm – 1 pm: Martin Luther King Jr. Lunch & Learn Tribute Reading Event, Fort Scott Community College Ellis Fine Arts Center. Reading of the speech “I Have a Dream” and quotes by Dr. King, with students from Fort Scott Community College & Pittsburg State University.. FREE
Mon., Jan. 20, 9 am – 2 pm: MLK Holiday Celebration Food Drive “Day of Service” Bring canned and non-perishable food items to donate to the Beacon Food Pantry, 525 E. 6th St., Fort Scott.
Mon., Jan. 20, 10:30 am – 11:30 am: Film showing – “Martin,” a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Gordon Parks, Fort Scott Community College Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. This is the 35th anniversary of the ballet tribute written and directed by Gordon Parks. FREE
Mon., Jan. 20, 12 pm – 1 pm: Lunch & Learn Presentation – “The Power of Imagery and Civil Rights Experience“ by Ann Dean, artist and photographer, Fort Scott Community College Ellis Fine Arts Center. This presentation will delve into the impact of photography on the Civil Rights Movement in the aftermath of the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, (attendees may also bring their own lunch). FREE
Thank you for this amazing list!!