Orlando Standard

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Announce 2024 Commemoration Events 

Local Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Events to Honor the Life and Legacy of Late Civil Rights Leader 

WHAT: 
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission are proud to announce a variety of events to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

The Commission is a volunteer organization that includes business and community representatives appointed by Mayor Dyer to raise funds, produce programs and coordinate events that promote the celebration of Dr. King’s legacy of service, equality, justice, freedom, peace, respect and inclusion for all. 

Below is a list of the 2024 events:   

Sunday, January 7, 2024
6 p.m. - MLK Candlelight Vigil and March    
Rotunda, City Hall, 400 South Orange Avenue   

The City of Orlando Mayor's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission will host a candlelight vigil at Orlando City Hall. At the event, participants will be greeted with a brief presentation followed by a march to First United Methodist Church for the Interfaith Multicultural Celebration. 

6:30 p.m. - Interfaith Multicultural Celebration    
First United Methodist Church, 142 East Jackson Street  

Following the Candlelight Vigil is the Interfaith Multicultural Celebration presented by the Interfaith Council of Central Florida, with guest speakers Bishop Derrick L. McRae, Senior Pastor of The Experience Christian Center and President of the African American Council of Christian Clergy. The celebration’s theme is “We Cannot Turn Back” and includes representation from various faith traditions. 

Monday, January 8, 2024
2 p.m. - Orlando City Council Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Presentation    
City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 400 South Orange Avenue  

Mayor Dyer and City Commissioners will proclaim January 7-15, 2024, as “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Week” in the City of Orlando.    

Thursday, January 11, 2024
7 p.m. - 20th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Forum  
FAMU College of Law, 201 FAMU Law Lane     

During the Leadership Forum presented by the Orlando Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, participants will take part in a moderated, interactive event with key leaders of the Orlando community to discuss this year’s theme of "Advancing the Dream: Navigating Education Equity in Today’s Landscape.”    

For event registration visit mlkluncheon.org .

Friday, January 12, 2024
11:30 a.m. - 37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Luncheon 
First Baptist Orlando, 3000 South John Young Parkway  

This luncheon presented by the Orlando Alumni Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity will feature keynote speaker Alpha Phi Alpha Brother Dr. Gerald Jones. At the event, students, community leaders and organizations will be recognized for their contributions with the prestigious Drum Major Award in areas of Scholastic Achievement, Civic Affairs, Social Justice, Community Service and Business.    

For event registration visit mlkluncheon.org . 

Saturday, January 13, 2024
10 a.m. - 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Downtown Orlando Parade      
Downtown Orlando, Orange Avenue       

Join the Southwest Orlando Jaycees for an exciting event that will feature dance, comedy, community organizations, drumlines, music, artistic expression and more. The parade theme is “It Starts with Me – Shifting the Cultural Climate Through the Study and Practice of Kingian Nonviolence".   

For parade information contact swojuniorchamber@gmail.com or to sign up to participate at 2024OrlandoMLKParade.eventbrite.com . 

Monday, January 15, 2024
7:45 a.m. - Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy 33rd Annual Prayer Breakfast   
First Baptist Orlando, 3000 South John Young Parkway    

Presented by the Southwest Orlando Jaycees and the Central Florida YMCA, the annual Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Prayer Breakfast will commemorate the legacies of civil rights pioneers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy, Orlando’s first African American City Council Member. This year’s guest speaker will be former Congresswoman Val Demings.   

Held each year on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day for more than three decades, this prayer breakfast traditionally brings together more than 1,000 civic leaders, pastors and Central Florida neighbors in faith, prayer and the shared commitment to strengthen the community and improve quality of life. 

For event registration visit ymcacf.org/community/y-events/prayerbreakfast . 

9 a.m. - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission’s Great Day of Service 
Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse, 9899 International Drive 

U.S. Hunger, in collaboration with the Orlando Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission and the Orange County MLK Initiative, will pack and distribute one million healthy meals of food relief throughout the Central Florida region while providing a high-energy, family-friendly volunteer event for 5,000 Central Florida volunteers.   

To sign up to volunteer visit mlkdosvolunteer.eventbrite.com.  

9 a.m. - Seedlings for Civil Rights     
Gilbert McQueen Park, 650 West Lake Mann Drive

During the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, the City of Orlando’s Green Up initiative will work with volunteers to beautify the Lake Mann Homes neighborhood by planting trees, mulching and removing litter in surrounding parks and other areas. Snacks, water and all needed supplies will be provided to volunteers. Closed-toed shoes are required.    

For volunteer opportunities visit orlando.gov/seedlings . 

Friday, January 19, 2024 
7 p.m. – MLK Night at the Orlando Magic Game 
Kia Center, 400 West Church Street    

The event will recognize Mayor Dyer’s MLK Youth Humanitarians at the Orlando Magic versus the Philadelphia 76ers game.  

Friday, February 2, 2024
7 p.m. - City of Orlando MLK Gospel Concert   
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Steinmetz Hall, 445 South Magnolia Avenue   

The 9th Annual MLK Concert, presented by the City of Orlando and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, is produced and directed by Grammy Award winner, Dr. Jeffrey Redding to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for United Against Poverty, which will be distributed to various local community and school food pantries. Special guests include Naguaanda Miller-Nobles Soprano, Benjamin Polite Bass and Shawn Welcome, the City of Orlando’s Poet Laureate. This year's theme is "Through the storm, I need You to survive.” 

Original source can be found here.