City of Dallas kicks off annual MLK Celebration Week
DALLAS – The City of Dallas MLK Celebration Week starts Jan. 9, 2024.
Hosted by the Office of Community Care, HELP, Work Force Solutions, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and other partners, MLK Week 2024, presented by JBJ Management, designates a time to reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The week includes a Day of Reflection, Prayer and Dedication, Job Fair, Equity Indicator’s Symposium, Youth Summit, Candle Lighting Ceremony, Community Clean-up, Scholarship & Awards Gala, and culminates with the annual MLK Day parade on Jan. 15.
This year’s MLK Week is made possible with support from Presenting Sponsor, JBJ Management, as well as support from several other sponsors, including Dallas Love Field, Renaissance Hotel, Black Voters Matter and H-E-B. The MLK Day Parade presenting sponsor is PayCom.
“The 2024 MLK Celebration Week theme: “Dream the Impossible Dream: Arise and Pursue the Legacy,” encourages individuals to chase their most ambitious dreams and work towards leaving a lasting impact. It emphasizes the importance of perseverance and determination in overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness identical to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Candace Wicks, vice chair of the MLK Community Center Advisory Board.
Clara Brown-Trimble, chair of the MLK Community Center Advisory Board, echoed the heartfelt sentiments of Dr. King.
“If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. Whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward,” she said. “In 2024 let us all Dream the Impossible Dream: Arise and Pursue the Legacy!”
A longstanding tradition of Celebration Week, the MLK Scholarship and Awards Gala will take place on Jan. 13. Its goal is to support educational aspirations for City of Dallas students and honor residents whose contributions to their community reflect the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This year’s keynote speaker is Rev. Dr. Freddie Haynes.
Rev. Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes, III is a pastor, leader, social activist and educator. He is also committed to and has devoted his life to economic justice and empowerment in underserved communities and touching and transforming the lives of the disenfranchised. For the past 40 years, Dr. Haynes has served as a visionary and innovative senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Under his servant leadership, the ministry and membership of the church has grown from less than 100 members in 1983 to over 13,000.
