The City of Dallas hosted its 44th annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from January 13-19, 2026, with a weeks’ worth of events highlighting issues of opportunity, diversity, and community.
This year’s theme was “Remaining Awake Through a Great Transformation.”
Events included the Day of Reflection, Prayer, and Dedication; a Job Fair hosted by Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas; Multicultural Showcase hosted by the Dallas Youth Commission; Drivers of Opportunities Symposium hosted by City of Dallas Office of Equity & Inclusion; a Candle Lighting Ceremony, hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter); MLK Fest hosted by The Walls Project; the MLK Scholarship & Awards Gala; and the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade, hosted by HELP.
Sponsors included JBJ Management, Ben Abbott & Associates, HEB, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, Renaissance Dallas Hotel, Thomas J. Henry, State Fair of Texas, and TXU Energy.
Congratulations to our scholarship essay winners: Carrah-Ahlyse Rone (Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet), Aniyah Williams (Skyline High School), DaQuan Manuel (Skyline High School), and Robert Reddick (Skyline High School).
Congratulations to our award winners: LIRA Group (Humanitarian Award); HELP (Volunteer of the Year Award); Empowering the Masses (Community Service Award); In the City For Good (Excellence Award-Nonprofit); Packing House Market (Excellence Award-Organization); World Vision (Dream Forward Award-Nonprofit); Kroger (Dream Forward Award-Organization); Deborah Sutton (Dream Forward Award-Individual); Terris Perkins, Jr. (Dream Forward Award-Individual); DFW Voices for Education and Youth (Engagement Award-Nonprofit); MILES of Freedom (Engagement Award-Nonprofit); Accident and Injury Chiropractic (Engagement Award-Organization); Oncor (Engagement Award-Organization); and Dr. Terry Flowers (Juanita Craft Award). Our 2026 Trailblazer Award Winner is Richard Miles, Founder & CEO of MILES of Freedom.
Special thanks to the MLK Advisory Board; LIRA, HELP, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter; James Madison High School JROTC; Imam Khalid Shaheed, Spiritual Director, Oak Cliff E.C., Imam Emeritus, Masjid Al Islam; Rev. Dr. Sharon L. Larkin, Executive Pastor St. Luke Community Methodist Church; Rev. Dr. Paul Burns, Eastminster Presbyterian Church and St. Mark Presbyterian Church; Women Breaking Ground; Britton Oils and Aromas; At Ease Hair & Skin Care; Stitched By Sheryl; Dabbs Decor & Gifts; Burn & Blow Candle Co. x Flock Soap Company; Dat’s Different Accessories; Gold Rush Unlimited Bling & Blessings; Lauren Cooper Mosely; Steven Dial, WFAA; and Roland Martin.
