Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Mayor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission have announced a variety of events to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Commission is a volunteer organization, which includes business and community representatives appointed by Mayor Dyer to raise funds and coordinate Citywide events that promote the celebration of Dr. King’s legacy of equality, justice, freedom, peace and harmony for all races and cultures in Greater Orlando.
Below is a list of this year’s events:
Sunday, January 13, 2013
5:30 p.m. Greater Haitian American Chamber of Commerce Voter Registration Drive
Orlando City Hall, 400 South Orange Avenue
Presented by the Greater Haitian American Chamber of Commerce. This event is free.
6:00 p.m. Candlelight Vigil and March
Beginning at Orlando City Hall, 400 South Orange Avenue
Presented by Mayor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission. This event is free.
Following the vigil, participants will march to First United Methodist Church of Orlando.
6:30 p.m. Multicultural Interfaith Celebration
First United Methodist Church of Orlando, 142 East Jackson Street
Presented by the Interfaith Council of Central Florida. This event is free.
This event will feature speakers from various faiths reflecting on Dr. King’s life and legacy.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
12:00 p.m. Messages on the Wall
Bridge To Independence Private School, 580 West Jackson Street
Bridge To Independence students will interpret the 14 quotations inscribed on the MLK National Monument in Washington, DC.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
6:00 p.m. 9th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Forum
Florida A & M University College of Law, 201 Beggs Avenue
Presented by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and FAMU Black Law Student Association. This event is free.
The forum is a panel discussion focusing on issues of significance to the community and concepts addressed by Dr. King. This year’s theme is “The Journey to Justice: Pursuing Equality in our Election Process.”
Friday, January 18, 2013
11:00 a.m. 27th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Luncheon
Ballroom at Church Street, 225 South Garland Avenue
Presented by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. There is a cost for this event.
7:00 p.m. “City of Hope” Concert
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 535 West Washington Street
Presented by the Negro Spiritual Scholarship Foundation. This event is free.
This concert promotes a spirit of community with music and other offerings by artists and performers from across the City.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
10:00 a.m. 29th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade
Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando
Presented by Southwest Orlando Jaycees. This event is free.
This is a community parade to honor the legacy and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and bring the message of unity to all people.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
7:00 p.m. Recognition of Youth Humanitarian Award Winners
Amway Center, 400 West Church Street
Presented by the Orlando Magic. There is a cost for this event.
Selected students from Orange County middle and high schools will receive the Youth Humanitarian award for exemplifying Dr. King’s ideals.
Monday, January 21, 2013
7:45 a.m. 22nd Annual Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Prayer Breakfast
First Baptist Church of Orlando, 3000 South John Young Parkway
Presented by YMCA of Central Florida & Southwest Orlando Jaycees. There is a cost for this event.
9:00 a.m. Plant Seedlings for Civil Rights
Rosemont Building, 5104 North Orange Blossom Trail
Presented by the Mayor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, Green-Up Orlando, Keep Orlando Beautiful & Green Works Orlando. This event is free.
Mayor Dyer will work-along with volunteers in an effort to clean up and spruce up the Rosemont neighborhood. Work will consist mostly of debris and litter removal along the roadside and medians.
9:00 a.m. Parramore Community Volunteer Day
Florida A & M University College of Law, 201 Beggs Avenue
Presented by FAMU Law School. This event is free.
FAMU students and other volunteers will work on projects benefitting residents of the Parramore Community.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
9:00 a.m. Communities in Unity: A Show of Strength Festival
Across the street from 428 North Parramore Avenue
Presented by Hope of Salvation, Inc. This event is free.
For more information or to volunteer, please call City of Orlando Office of Community Affairs at (407) 246-2122 or visit www.mlkorlando.com.
