This browser does not support the Video element.
King Center announced this year's observances
The King Center kicked off the 40th annual King Holiday observance Tuesday with a preview of the upcoming events and programs planned to honor Dr. Martin Luther King and his legacy.
ATLANTA - The King Center has released its plans to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with its 40th King Holiday Observance, which begins later this week.
Atlanta is known as the home of the prolific civil rights icon and the annual observance features both in-person and virtual events the entire week leading up to the official holiday on Monday, Jan. 20.
When and where is the King Holiday Observance?
The observance kicks off on Jan. 8 with a reception and book signing with Professor Angela Farris Watkins, Ph.D.
Dr. Watkins will be signing her book "Love Will See You Through: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Six Guiding Beliefs" at the MLK, Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center on Hillard Street SE. Attendees will need to RSVP.
8-1983, AUG 27 1983, JAN 19 1986; Special for The Denver Post, Attn. Bill Wunsch. This is a 1963 photo of Martin Luther King Jr., addressing the thousands of people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial during "March on Washington". 1983 (Photo By The De …
Other events include the virtual Global Youth Summit, which will examine topics like AI and democracy through the lens of Dr. King's principles of nonviolence. Registration for the virtual sessions is already open.
Most events will be streamed live at thekingcenter.org, or on the organization's Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.
On Jan. 20, the King Center will host the commemorative service at 9 a.m., which will be broadcast live by FOX 5 Atlanta.
What is the theme of the 2025 King Center MLK Day Observance?
The theme of this year's observance is, "Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365."
Dr. Bernice A. King, the CEO of the King Center, shared more details about the theme at a press conference at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
Who are the guests at the King Center MLK event?
Several people and organizations will be honored at this year's Beloved Community Awards gala, including:
- Beloved Community Civic Leadership Award: Accepted by LaTosha Brown and Cliff Albright, Co-Founders of Black Voters Matter
- Beloved Community Technological Innovation Award: Accepted by Aadeel Akhtar, PhD, CEO & Founder of PSYONIC
- Beloved Community Christine King Farris Legacy of Service in Education Award: Accepted by Dr. Kevin E. James, President of Morris Brown College
- Beloved Community Coretta Scott King Soul of the Nation Award: Accepted by Nadia Murad President & Chairwoman of Nadia’s Initiative and Nobel Peace Laureate
- Beloved Community Corporate Social Impact Award: Accepted by Mr. Anton Vincent, President of Mars Wrigley North America & Global Ice Cream
- Beloved Community Yolanda D. King Higher Ground Award: Accepted by actress, singer, author and activist Jenifer Lewis
- Beloved Community Youth Influencer Award (Individual): Accepted by student scientist Heman Bekele
- Beloved Community Youth Influencer Award (Corp): Accepted by Santiago Marquez, CEO of the Latin American Association
- Beloved Community Social Justice Award: Accepted by Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation
- Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award: Accepted by Steve Nygren, Founder and Managing Partner of Serenbe
- Beloved Community Salute to Greatness Humanitarian Award: Accepted by Laura Arnold, Founder and Co-Chair of Arnold Ventures
There will also be performances by MaKenzie Thomas, Jennifer Holliday, Eric Benét and more.
Ebenezer Baptist Church, the church of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
The keynote speaker for the commemorative service at Ebenezer Baptist Church will be Bishop William J. Barber, II, the co-chair of the Poor People's campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.
Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Mark Gutierrez, Tye Tribbett and others are expected to perform. FOX 5 Atlanta will stream the service.
The Source: The current information in this article has been confirmed by The King Center.