Committee for King has set the theme, “The Dream: It Starts with Me,” as the inspiration for MLK Weekend 2025, January 17-20. The community is invited and encouraged to attend all programs/events to both celebrate and carry forward the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and support the organization’s mission to “seek love, compassion, respect, and racial harmony for all people."
The MLK Weekend kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday, January 17, with the high energy Youth “Who’s Got Talent” Show at the Tupelo Civic Auditorium. Evening’s emcees are Rance Champ, Jr., Azaria Dandridge, and Jaren Givhan. Admission is free. Pizza and drinks are provided to participating youth and their adult advisors.
The annual Saturday night Awards Banquet will be held at the Tupelo Furniture Market, Building Five, starting at 6:30 p.m. on January 18. The keynote presentation will be given by Brittany Brown, Andrea Morales, and Charity Scott, staff members from the award-winning Memphis-based online forum MLK50: Justice Through Journalism. They will share information on the work the nonprofit news outlet does at the intersection of poverty, power, and policy. The annual Image Award, Community Service Award, and Drum Major Award will be presented as well. Dinner is provided by Aunt B’s Catering. Tickets are $40/person and are available by contacting Tabitha McRunnels at (662) 397-4690.
On Sunday, January 19, from 2-4 p.m., Committee for King will partner with Good Samaritan Free Clinic, 420 Magazine Street, for a free Health Fair, including flu and Covid shots, blood pressure and diabetes screenings and more. At 3:45 p.m., attendees are invited to march from the Free Clinic to the Salvation Army, 527 Carnation Street, for a free reception and meal with Salvation Army residents, staff and fellow community members from 4-5:30 p.m.
Service opportunitiesare available January 19 with Habitat for Humanity, the Lee County Juvenile Detention Center, Keep Tupelo Beautiful, and Wear It Well. More information on these and other weekend-long service opportunities is available at committeeforking.org. Participants are encouraged to take selfies to post on social media throughout the weekend and share their personal dreams inspired by Dr. King’s work on social justice, anti-poverty initiatives, and nonviolence. Please use #thedreamitstartswithme when posting.
On Monday, January 20, Committee for King partner organization, the Modern Beauticians, will lead a motorcade at 11 a.m. from Reed’s Manufacturing, 1321 S. Veterans Memorial Blvd., along the Martin Luther King Drive portion of Hwy 45 to the Commemorative Service at St. Paul United Methodist Church Christian Life Center, 502 Front Street. Rev. Charlie Barnes will speak, two scholarships will be awarded, and Geno Jones and Focus will share uplifting music during the program.
For more information, contact Committee for King representatives or visit committeeforking.org.
