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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2025 MLK Remembrance Ceremony

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events
 
On Friday, April 4, 2025, the MLK, Jr. Community Center hosted the 11th annual MLK Remembrance Ceremony, remembering the life and legacy of Dr. King on the 57th anniversary of his death. 
 
Special guests included Keynote Speaker Rev. Leonard Johnson, Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church; Mistress of Ceremony, Candace Wicks (District 3); James Madison High School JROTC; Honorable Adam Bazaldua, Dallas City Council, District 7; John Carter, President, Turner 12; and the Progressive Baptist Church Choir.
 
Community partners included HELP, LIRA, Empowering the Masses, Kroger, and Cummins.
 

2025 Taste of Soul (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Saturday, February 22, 2025, the MLK, Jr. Community Center hosted the 3rd annual “Taste of Soul” Soul Food Cook-Off, highlighting the diversity of soul food cuisine in celebration of Black History Month.

Registered participants entered their best soul food dish for a chance to win first place in 4 categories, including meat, sides/appetizers, desserts, and vegan/vegetarian. Each dish was judged based on taste, appearance, and creativity. The “People’s Choice” award was given to the contestant with the best overall dish, determined by a collective vote from the community. 

Attendees enjoyed samples from each contestant along with raffles and prizes, free food and drinks, and live performances from R&B singer Reuben Lael. Jamie “Jazze” Maxie, On Air Personality and  Community Affairs Director for Radio One, served as Mistress of Ceremony.

Featured contestants included Juicy’s Soul Food & More!, 1Hand^, Belizean Jewels Island Flavors, Qu-Dee, Charmed By Missa, Charisweet, Fe’s Cake Shoppe, Nana Dot’s Southern Sweets, Soul of the Souf, BB’s Special, The Bayou Catering Co., Curated Cravings, Salads Mediterranean Style, Cooking With Friends, Gregory Green, Aaron Bacon III, Crystal Tyler, and Sammie Anderson.

Winners included Belizean Jewels Island Flavors (Meat); The Bayou Catering Co. (Sides/Appetizers); Charmed By Missa Vegan Cuisine (Vegan/Vegetarian); and Fe’s Cake Shoppe (Dessert). The People’s Choice winner was Juicy’s Soul Food & More!

Community Partners included the City of Dallas Office of Community Care, Dallas Park & Recreation, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, Kroger, GEMS Camp, Empowering the Masses, World Vision, In the City For Good, Kroger, HELP, LIRA Group, DFW Voices for Education and Youth, Louisiana Hot Sauce, 97.9 the Beat, and Magic 94.5.

Special thanks to the MLK, Jr. Community Center Advisory Board, the judges, and our dedicated volunteers for their gracious support and commitment to the center.

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2025 MLK Celebration Week (Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

The City of Dallas hosted its 43rd annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from January 10-18, 2025, with a weeks’ worth of events highlighting issues of equity, diversity, and opportunity.
 
Events included a Candle Lighting Ceremony, hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter);MLK Fest hosted by The Walls Project, Epiphany, New Era, and the city of Dallas; MLK Scholarship & Awards Gala; Day of Reflection, Prayer, and Dedication; a Job Fair hosted by Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas; Multicultural Showcase hosted by the Youth Commission; Equity Indicators Symposium hosted by City of Dallas Offices’ of Equity & Inclusion, Environmental Sustainability, and Office of Community Care and Empowerment; and the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade, hosted by HELP.
 
Sponsors included JBJ Management, Matthews, Russell, Renaissance Hotel, Arca Continental Coca Cola Southwest Beverages, State Fair of Texas, HEB, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, American Airlines, Comerica Bank, Dallas Love Field, Texas Capital Bank, Oncor, Dallas Mavericks, TXU Energy, and SMU.

Congratulations to our scholarship essay winners: 1st Place, Lukas Armendariz (Skyline High School); 2nd Place, Kendall Beavers (Woodrow Wilson High School); and 3rd Place, Brea Lusk (Yvonne E. Ewell Townview Center).​

Congratulations to our award winners: Miles of Freedom (Humanitarian Award); In the City For Good (Volunteer of the Year Award); DFW Voices for Education and Youth (Community Service Award); Empowering the Masses (Excellence Award-Nonprofit); Kroger (Excellence Award-Organization); HELP (Dream Forward Award-Nonprofit); Accident & Injury Chiropractic (Dream Forward Award-Organization); Deborah Sutton (Dream Forward Award-Individual); Terris Perkins, Jr. (Dream Forward Award-Individual); LIRA Group (Engagement Award-Nonprofit); Destiny’s Giving Hand, Inc. (Engagement Award-Nonprofit); World Vision (Engagement Award-Organization); and Bimbo Bakeries (Engagement Award-Organization).

Special thanks to the MLK Advisory Board; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter; James Madison High School JROTC; Imam Khalid Shaheed, Spiritual Director, Oakcliff E.C., Imam Emeritus, Masjid Al Islam; Rev. Leonard Johnson, Sr. Pastor, Progressive Baptist Church; Rev. Al Green, One Rugged Cross Church; Rev. Nucleus Johnson, Youth Pastor, St. Luke Community Methodist Church; Rev. Robert Estrada, New Image Temple; Rev. Sammy L. Berry, Pulpit Minister, Dallas West Church of Christ; Honorable Eric Johnson, Dallas Mayor; Lauren Cooper Mosely; Don Diego; Adronek Williams; Teresa Estrada; Steven Dial, WFAA; Rev. Nontombe Naomi Tutu; LIRA; and HELP.

Photo Courtesy of Dallas Police Department

Photo Courtesy of Five star Recycle Services, LLC

Photo Courtesy of City of Dallas Office of Equity and Inclusion

 

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2024 Winter Warmup Coat Drive & Distribution (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

On Saturday, December 21, 2024,  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.

There were 245 registered families and over 800 children who participated in the drive-through distribution. 

Community Partners included LIRA, HELP, Terris Perkins, Jr., Empowering the Masses, Miles of Freedom, Carter’s House, CBRE,  Green Careers Dallas, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter), In the City for Good, Southwest Transplant Alliance, IDK Foundation, National Black MBA Association, Transportation Unlimited, White Harvest Foundation, Deborah Sutton, Eunice Rodgers, and Westrock.

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!

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