Author: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center

2026 MLK Celebration Week

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events, Information

In January 2026, the City of Dallas hosts its annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a week of events highlighting issues of opportunity, diversity, and community. This year’s theme is “Remaining Awake Through a Great Transformation.”

MLK Week will feature our Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship and Awards Gala, in which we will present scholarships to the winners of our MLK Essay contest and recognize organizations and individuals that have supported the MLK Center and our community throughout 2025, and will culminate with the annual MLK Day Parade.

For more information about 2026 MLK Celebration Week, please contact 214-670-8418.

2025 Winter Warmup (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

On Saturday, December 20, 2025,  the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual Winter Warmup Coat Drive & Distribution, a community-based effort to provide new coats, hats, and gloves to children and families in need.

This year we distributed over 650 coats to children and families in need. 

Community Partners included Toyota, Dallas Mavericks, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, Target, Terris Perkins, Jr., LIRA, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter), Empowering the Masses, HELP, Peter & Dena Silberman, In the City For Good, Junior League of Dallas, Project Unity, Bridgford, WestRock, CBRE, Mahiri Takai, Bimbo, IDK Foundation, SoftwareDXT, Doris Edmon, RoseSharon Wright, Crystal Tyler, Thelma Gay, Mildred Pierce, Clinton Marshall, Patience Mbamba, and Jordan Lowder.

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2025 MLK Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, the MLK, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway to provide Thanksgiving meals to over 400 families in need.

Registered guests participated in the drive-through distribution receiving a turkey and a roast, along with vegetables, eggs, dinner rolls, and more for a complete holiday meal. Hot meals and hygiene kits were also provided to the community by Feed the Streetz.

This event was a collaboration between the City of Dallas Office of Housing and Community Empowerment, Toyota, Kroger, LIRA, In the City For Good, Empowering the Masses, Feed the Streetz, HELP, the Walls Project, Foremost Family Health Center, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter), Miles of Freedom, Reliant, Atmos Energy, First Choice Social Services, Dave’s Killer Bread, Carter’s House, Nature’s Own, Packing House Market, WestRock, Mahiri Takai, Dairy Farmers of America, The Richards Group,  and Accident & Injury Chiropractic.

Special thanks to our volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to serving the community. We could not do it without you!

 

2025 Hispanic Heritage Celebration (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Friday, September 19, 2025, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Attendees enjoyed special dance performances from the Representa Foundation and the Flame Foundation, an interactive dance instruction, and free food for the community.

Community Partners included the City of Dallas Office of Community Care and Empowerment; LIRA Group; the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, Bubbl’r; and PNC Bank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2025 MLK Back to School (Drive-Thru) Festival

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

On Saturday, August 9, 2025, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual MLK Back to School Festival, an event for students and families to receive free backpacks, school supplies, and other essential items for the new school year.

More than 30 community partners participated in the drive-through festival, distributing supplies to over 1,000 students and their families. 

Community Partners included LIRA, Reliant, Empowering the Masses, HELP, In the City for Good, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, SubroSmart, Southwest Transplant Alliance, Bailey-Guizar Group, DFW Alliance of Black Accountants, PNC Bank, CBRE, MB Events & Promotions, Recovery Resource Council & Dallas Area Drug Prevention Partnerships Coalition, Bless the Lord Outreach Ministry, The Family Place, American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU), Bakari Behavioral Health, Inc., IDK Foundation, C5 Texas, Defend Your Drains, MLK, Jr. Recreation Center, City of Dallas – BEST, City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS), City of Dallas Environmental Education Initiative (EEI), Uplift Education, Harmony Hearts Consulting, LaunchPAD Leadership Academy, Mahari Takai Brand, and Colin Allred for Texas.

Mo Goodas Italian Ice was provided by Reliant. 

Special thanks to our volunteers for their time and dedication to serving the community!

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2025 Community Day of Giving (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

On Saturday, June 28, 2025, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted Community Day of Giving in collaboration with Dairy Farmers of America (DFA). This event is a community-driven effort to provide food, household items, and support to those in need while celebrating and acknowledging the historical significance of Juneteenth.  

We were able to serve over 200 people with food, drinks, hygiene kits, and more.

Community Partners included City of Dallas Office of Community Care & Empowerment, Dairy Farmers of America, Kroger, LIRA, Empowering the Masses, MILES of Freedom, HELP, Coca Cola, World Vision, and the Allen Family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2025 Juneteenth 4K Freedom Walk & Festival (Community Block Party)- Event Recap

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Saturday, June 14, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, in collaboration with The Walls Project, hosted the 2025 Juneteenth 4K Freedom Walk & Festival (Community Block Party) in efforts to bring culture, joy, and action to the heart of South Dallas.

Over 1,100 attendees enjoyed free food, including 1,000 lbs. of Crawfish, 1,000 meals from In-N-Out, snow cones from Kona Ice, and Smokey John’s BBQ; the Kid Zone, which included 10 bounce houses, water slides, and interactive games; live performances from R&B Singer Reuben Lael, Dallas Rapper Dorrough, and other local artists; and more than 75 community vendors with food, apparel, informational resources, and free giveaways.

Community Partners included the City of Dallas Office of Community Care & Empowerment, Dallas Park & Recreation, The Walls Project, Tenet Healthcare/United Surgical Partners International, World Vision, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, Altair Global, City of Dallas Office of Arts & Culture, In the City For Good, Oncor, KHAM Radio, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Miles of Freedom, LIRA, Empowering the Masses, HELP, In-N-Out Burger, and Hiland Dairy.

 

 

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2025 “A Magnificent Mom’s Day Experience” (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

 

On Saturday, May 10, 2025, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted the 5th Annual “A Magnificent Mom’s Day Experience” in celebration of Mother’s Day. This is a special event designed to inspire, motivate, and celebrate mothers of all ages.

Attendees enjoyed motivational speaking, dancing, complimentary brunch, a free beauty shopping experience, free giveaways and more.

Special guests included Laura Trevino, who serves as Community Outreach Representative for In the City For Good.

Community Partners included Office of Community Care and Empowerment, HELP, LIRA, In the City For Good, World Vision, DFW Voices for Education & Youth, Dallas Park and Recreation, Empowering the Masses, and Accident & Injury Chiropractic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you attended this event and would like to complete a survey, please click the link below:

Survey Link: https://bit.ly/2025MomsDaySurvey

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2025 Spring Egg-Stravaganza (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

On Thursday, April 17, the MLK, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual Spring Egg-Stravaganza, an egg hunt for the children who attend MLK ChildCareGroup and free food and giveaways for the community.

Community partners included the MLK Center Staff, Dallas Park & Recreation, Family Care Connection, South Dallas Community Court, MLK, Jr. Branch Library, Green Careers Dallas, Bubbl’r, Neel Shetti (MLK Advisory Board, District 13), Cristian Diaz (MLK Advisory Board, District 5), Ronald Guion, RoseSharon Wright, Aaron Bacon III, Chearonne & Mahari Allen, LaQuasha & Myron Kilgore, Qutaronne & Darnell Reid-Hill, Tandrea Young, and Angola Young.


 

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2025 Volunteer Appreciation Brunch (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

April is National Volunteer Month and it is dedicated to honoring all of the volunteers in our communities as well as encouraging volunteerism throughout the month.

On Saturday, April 12, 2025, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Brunch/ Mix & Mingle in celebration of the volunteers who have graciously supported the center throughout the year.

Attendees enjoyed a short program hosted by the MLK Administrative Staff, a catered brunch served by the MLK Advisory Board, gift giveaways, and a free shopping experience sponsored by LIRA Group.

Community Partners included LIRA Group, Cummins, Kroger, and World Vision.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

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