Author: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center

2024 MLK Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

On Saturday, November 23, 2024, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual MLK Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway to provide Thanksgiving meals to over 500 families in need.

Registered guests participated in the drive-through distribution receiving a turkey and chicken, along with vegetables, bread, eggs, and more, for a complete holiday meal. Additional guests received turkeys, hygiene bags, and more.

This was a collaboration between the City of Dallas Office of Community Care, HELP, LIRA, Empowering the Masses, Miles of Freedom, Family Care Connection, Carter’s House, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Kappa Zeta Chapter), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter), Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, JBJ Management, Kroger,  Accident & Injury Chiropractic, Hiland Dairy, Packing House Market, Cummins, The Richards Group, Reliant, The Giving Tree Ministries, White Harvest Foundation DBA Storehouse 3:10, Stephen Foster, and Terris Perkins, Jr.

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

View Photo Gallery

2024 Hispanic Heritage Festival (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its 3rd Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Attendees enjoyed local vendors, live entertainment, free food from In-N-Out Burger, fun giveaways, and more. Special guests included Councilman Adam Bazaldua (District 7); Master of Ceremony, Ruben Shelton; and students from Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep.

Community Partners included LIRA Group, HELP, Dallas Public Library, Dallas Park and Recreation, World Vision, DFW Voices for Education & Youth, In the City for Good, and Hiland Dairy.

    

View Photo Gallery

View Thumbnails

2024 MLK Back to School Festival (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

On Saturday, August 10, 2024, 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 350+ families and 1,542 students. 

Community Partners included LIRA Group; HELP; Peter & Dena Silberman; The Richards Group; Empowering the Masses; Cummins; Enterprise; SubroSmart; The IDK Foundation; Reliant NRG; City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability; CBRE; City of Dallas Environmental Education Initiative; City of Dallas Office of Community Police Oversight; MLK, Jr. Branch Library; Dallas Park & Recreation; Atmos Energy; Miles of Freedom; In the City For Good; The Family Place; Encore; DFW Alliance of Black Accountants; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter); Queen Nefertari #1 Order of the Eastern Star; State Fair of Texas; C5; Benchmark Bank; White Harvest Foundation; Dallas College; Empowerment Services; and Texas Freedom Network. Kona Ice was provided by Reliant. 

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

View Photo Gallery

no images were found

2024 Journey, Next Steps (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

On Saturday, July 13, 2024, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, in collaboration with LIRA Group, hosted Journey, Next Steps, a college readiness program for graduating high school seniors.

A group of 25 students were selected to participate in the program, which offers life skills, college tours, summer internship opportunities, and a college starter kit providing everything students need to start their college journey. Upon completion of the program, students were gifted new laptops, refrigerators, microwaves, bedding, toiletries, and more in preparation for their freshman year of college.

Sponsors included Vistra, In the City for Good, State Fair of Texas, Vista Bank, Women of Pearls Community Action Foundation, Terris Perkins, Jr., Oncor, and the City of Dallas Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center.

View Photo Gallery

no images were found

2024 Community Day of Giving (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

On Saturday, June 22, 2024, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted Community Day of Giving in collaboration with Dairy Farmers of America (DFA). This event was a community-driven effort to provide food, household items, and support to those in need while celebrating and acknowledging the historical significance of Juneteenth.  

Community Partners included City of Dallas, Dairy Farmers of America, Kroger, LIRA Group, HELP, Treehouse, Tenet Health, United Surgical Partners, Conifer Health Solutions, Miles of Freedom, Kroger, Pizza Hut, and Storehouse 3:10.

View Photo Gallery

no images were found

2024 Juneteenth 4K Freedom Walk & Festival- Celebrating 50 Years (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

On Saturday, June 15, 2024, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its 50 Anniversary Juneteenth 4K Freedom Walk & Festival. This year’s theme was “2024 Time to Soar! The Sky is the Limit.”

There were more than 300 registered participants in the 4K Freedom walk, which included community partners, nonprofits, volunteers, and other supporters of the MLK, Jr. Community Center. Attendees enjoyed 60 unique vendors, free food and treats, and fun activities for children, including a mechanical bull and bounce house.

Special guests included Willie Minor, Master of Ceremony; Lauren Mosely, Vocalist; Diva Elite Dance Team; UNT Voices of Praise Gospel Choir; and the Xtreme Soul Line Dancers. Music was provided by DJ Trikky. 

Community Partners included the City of Dallas, LIRA Group, HELP, Empowering the Masses, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Atmos Energy, Target, Oncor, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, Dallas Park and Recreation, HEB, Miles of Freedom, Accelerator Energy, KNON, Radio One, K104 FM, 105.7 FM, Black Voters Matter, Pepsico, National Association of Health Service Professionals, DFW Voices for Education & Youth, Packing House Market, Sam’s Club, Meow Wolf, KGGR Radio, In the City for Good, World Vision, Black Voters Matter, the African American Museum of Dallas.

View Photo Gallery

no images were found

2024 Juneteenth 4K Freedom Walk & Festival-Celebrating 50 Years

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center is hosting the 2024 Juneteenth 4K Walk & Festival on Saturday, June 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The event will begin with a 4K Freedom Walk for health & wellness, and end with a free community festival with live entertainment, vendors, and fun activities for the entire family.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., the opening ceremony will begin at 9:00 a.m., and the walk will begin at 9:30 a.m. 

To participate in the walk, or as a vendor or volunteer, you must sign up online.

For more information about the festival, please visit bit.ly/MLKJuneteenth24!

2024 “A Magnificent Mom’s Day Experience” (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Saturday, May 11, 2024, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted the 4th 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 dynamic keynote speakers, live entertainment, complimentary lunch and refreshments, raffles, and more. 

Special guests included Assistant City Manager Liz Cedillo-Pereira; Jessica Galleshaw, Director, Office of Community Care; Kimberly Traylor, Senior DEI Consultant at Oncor; Dawn Che, Herbalist & Yoga Instructor; and Hula Halau Kae’epa Hawaiian dancers from Tropical Events and Productions.

Special thanks to our vendors for attending, TwinTastic Bling, Wrapp’d and Ston’d, and Dats Different Accessory Styles. 

Community Partners included HELP, LIRA, Oncor, Black Voters Matter, World Vision, DFW Voices for Education & Youth, Dallas Park and Recreation, Empowering the Masses, Arthello Beck Art Gallery, Ridout Framing, In the City for Good, Eunice Rodgers, and Deborah Sutton.

View Photo Gallery

no images were found

2024 Volunteer Appreciation (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Saturday, April 27, 2024, 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, and received special gifts along with a certificate of appreciation for their support and commitment to the center.

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.

View Photo Gallery

no images were found