(UPDATED)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Events
January 12, 2022 — January 17, 2022
Please make plans to join us in 2022 for another year of celebration and commemoration honoring the life and legacy of the Dream and the Dreamer. More info: www.MLKKnoxville.com
Wednesday, January 12, 12 – 1 pm
• INTERFAITH PRAYER SERVICE
Location to be determined
The major opening of the MLK Celebration is traditionally an interfaith prayer service to bring people of our community from all faiths together in worship.
Thursday, January 13, 8:30am – 11:30am
• LEADERSHIP EDUCATIONAL SYMPOSIUM at University of Tennessee, Student Union
A highlight of the MLK Celebration is the annual leadership symposium providing a forum for dialogue and exchange of information about social justice issues.
• 12 – 2pm, LEADERSHIP/AWARDS LUNCHEON University of Tennessee, Student Union The business leadership awards luncheon will bring businesses from all segments of Knoxville together to honor special people who have made a difference in our community and will feature a special Keynote Speaker.
Friday, January 14, 7 – 8:30pm • COMMUNITY FORUM OAK RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL PEACE ALLIANCE at Beck Cultural Exchange Center
An especially important element in the MLK Celebration activities is a Community Forum with our partners of the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance.
Saturday, January 15
- YWCA RACE AGAINST RACISM Diversity Day, 11 am – 2:30 pm, YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center, 124 S. Cruze St. Rain or shine, A certified 5k course starts in East Knoxville at the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Community Center and takes runners through the vibrant East Knoxville community, down to the Old City, and looping back at the starting line. Looking for something a little more laid-back? Join our 1-mile walk to the Alex Haley statue at Morningside Park, and enjoy meeting your friends and neighbors. We’ll also have a fun race for the younger kids! Register today with the following link: https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Knoxville/YWCAKnoxvilleRaceAgainstRacism?remMeAttempt=.
- JACK AND JILL ORATORICAL CONTEST, Virtual Event
The MLK Jr. Commemorative Commission Youth Symposium team has again partnered with the Knoxville Chapter of Jack & Jill of America to provide opportunities for students to enhance their oratorical and public speaking skills. The contest is comprised of students from local middle and high schools with the Knox County School district.
Sunday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m.
The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s “Night with The Arts: A Concert in Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr,” at the Tennessee Theatre free and open to the public. Tickets are not needed. KSO Music Director Aram Demirjian will lead the Symphony in powerful music written by influential Black composers, including Scott Joplin, Florence Price and Valerie Coleman. The MLK Celebration Choir, directed by Preston Johnson, will join the KSO to perform “We Shall Overcome,” “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “Praise.” The performance will be presented with support from Knox County Commissioners Terry Hill and Dr. Dasha Lundy. For more information, visit knoxvillesymphony.com.
Monday, January 17
• MEMORIAL MARCH PARADE, 8:30am (Line-Up); 10 – 11:30am
The parade offers a participatory visual and audible tribute to the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Parade route will stretch from Chilhowee Park – Midway Entrance on N. Beaman Street to the Overcoming Believers Church on Harriet Tubman Street.
* MLK Day of ACTION: NO CELEBRATION WITHOUT LEGISLATION! Monday, 11 am, Market Square Knoxville. This year Dr. King’s family: Martin Luther King III, Andrea Waters King, and Yolanda Renee King and faith leaders, civil rights leaders, and voting rights advocates across the country– have called for demanding voting rights legislation and access to the ballot box. Sponsored by Indivisible East Tennessee 2.0
We won’t accept empty promises in pursuit of Dr. King’s dream for a more equal America. MLK Day is a day of service, and Congress must serve our country through action: passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
• MEMORIAL TRIBUTE SERVICE at Overcoming Believers Church; 12 – 2 pm Monday
The MLK Memorial Tribute Service culminates the MLK Memorial Parade and will feature a special Keynote Speaker.