Across the United States, communities are preparing to honor the life and enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a diverse array of events, services, and acts of service in January 2026. From Charlotte, North Carolina, to Mounds, Illinois, and from Dayton, Ohio, to Kalamazoo, Michigan, Americans are coming together to reflect on Dr. King’s vision of justice, equality, and the beloved community—a vision that still resonates powerfully today.
In Charlotte, the City and its partners are launching a weeklong series of six events beginning Monday, January 12, and culminating on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 19, 2026. According to the City of Charlotte Government, these activities are meant to “honor the civil rights icon and inspire continued advocacy for justice and equality.” The city’s approach is notably inclusive, with each event designed to engage a wide range of residents. Organizers are updating the city’s website with details as the holiday approaches, making it easy for volunteers, participants, and attendees to get involved and plan their contributions to the celebration.
Meanwhile, in Mercer County, New Jersey, the Mercer County Library System is extending Dr. King’s Day of Service into a four-week initiative that runs from January 12 through February 6. Residents of all ages are invited to write letters and create handmade cards for homebound seniors who receive Meals on Wheels. As Mercer County Executive Dan Benson put it, “In coming together to support seniors in Mercer County, we are working to build the ‘beloved community’ that Dr. King so eloquently envisioned. A small gesture on our part can mean so much to Meals on Wheels recipients, many of whom have limited mobility and fewer opportunities to connect with others.” The supplies for these heartfelt messages are available at all nine library branches during regular hours, and no registration is required. This initiative not only honors Dr. King’s legacy but also fosters empathy and connection among neighbors, echoing the compassion at the core of his teachings.
In Kalamazoo, Michigan, the city will host a ceremony at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park on Rose Street on January 19. The day’s events kick off with a commemorative walk at 3:45 p.m. starting at the Metro Transit Building, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at around 4:15 p.m. in the park. Community leaders will deliver remarks reflecting on Dr. King’s life, legacy, and the impact he continues to have. The city also recognizes young people who embody Dr. King’s values through the Social Justice Youth Awards, which will be presented by the City Commission on January 27. The ceremony is weather-dependent, but the city’s commitment is unwavering. More information about the events can be found on the city’s website, ensuring that everyone interested can participate or learn more.
Ohio is marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a remarkable slate of events throughout Dayton, Cincinnati, and the surrounding region. The celebrations began early, with a free MLK Worship Service at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Dayton on January 4. The schedule continues with an MLK Interfaith Breakfast at St. John’s United Church of Christ on January 16, where minister Tanyer Harbut will speak on the theme “America tell the truth.” On January 18, a free musical concert at the Christian Life Center will honor Dr. King’s legacy through music and community.
The heart of Dayton’s commemorations will be the MLK Memorial March, starting at 10 a.m. on January 19 near the Drew Health Center and concluding at Sinclair Community College’s Building 12. Free shuttles will help participants move between these locations. Immediately following the march, The Neon Theater will host a youth celebration featuring a screening of “The Fire Inside,” a film based on the true story of boxer Claressa Shields. Later that evening, the MLK Celebration Banquet at Carillon Historical Park will feature a keynote speech from Ahmed Rehab, executive director and communications director of the Chicago Office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Sinclair Community College is also playing a central role, hosting its own MLK Jr. Day Celebration from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on January 19, with a keynote address by author and activist Kevin Powell. Attendees will join the memorial march as it passes by the college. On January 20, the college will screen the documentary “When We Free The World,” which explores issues of race, gender identity, history, and mental health, furthering the conversation Dr. King started decades ago.
Other notable area events include the 13th Annual Youth Oratorical & Creative Arts Program in Middletown on January 15, Black Empowerment Day at the Cincinnati Museum Center on January 17, and the King Legacy Celebration at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati on January 19, featuring a talk from Peabody Award winner Kahlil Greene and a performance by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Wittenberg University in Springfield will host a special MLK Convocation titled “The Light we Find, The Light we Carry” on January 19, led by author and executive advisor Christopher Thompson. Huber Heights’ annual MLK Day Luncheon and Program will also take place on January 19, honoring local leaders and fostering community dialogue.
In southern Illinois, the Alexander/Pulaski Counties NAACP is organizing its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at Meridian High School’s gymnasium in Mounds on January 19, beginning at 9 a.m. Rev. Joseph A. Brown, S.J., PhD, Director of the School of Africana and Multicultural Studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, will deliver the keynote address. According to KFVS, tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under, and $200 per table of six, with attendees encouraged to purchase tickets early due to high demand.
Whether through marches, music, worship, youth competitions, or acts of service, each community’s approach reflects the multifaceted legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The events are as varied as the communities themselves, yet all share a common purpose: to celebrate Dr. King’s achievements, reckon with the work still to be done, and inspire a new generation to continue the pursuit of justice, equality, and unity.
As January 19 approaches, Americans across the country are reminded that Dr. King’s dream is not just a memory, but a call to action—one that echoes in every act of service, every speech, every song, and every step taken in his honor.
