Since its establishment in 1985, the Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission has recommended and fostered appropriate activities for the recognition and celebration of Martin Luther King Day in the State of Missouri.
The 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Celebration Kick-Off Program for Missouri will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Harris-Stowe State University in the Dr. Henry Givens, Jr. Administration Building, Main Auditorium.
Since its establishment in 1985, the Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission has recommended and fostered appropriate activities for the recognition and celebration of Martin Luther King Day in the State of Missouri.
This year’s theme is “Keeping the Dream Alive: It Starts with Me.”
The keynote speaker will be Rev. Dr. Freddy J. Clark, founder of Shalom Church (City of Peace), and this year’s featured performer is national gospel recording artist Jesse D. Williams and Total Praise.
Distinguished honorees include Bishop Ron Webb (Poplar Bluff), Alana Green (St. Louis), and Mary Ratliff (Columbia).
Edward Berry (Fulton), John Gardner (Kirksville), Lester Gillespie (Bootheel), Davis Maddox (Kansas City), Ryana Parks-Shaw (Kansas City), David Tyson Smith (Columbia), and Marlon Wharton (St. Louis) will be recognized for their outstanding service to the community.
This annual celebration brings together people from all walks of life and will be the first of many events this year to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. King.
Admission is free and open to the public.
