Last Updated on January 10, 2023, 12:16 PM | Published: January 10, 2023
OKLAHOMA CITY — A two-day schedule of events are planned for the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday celebration in Oklahoma City Sunday, Jan. 15 and Monday, Jan. 16.
Each year the committee that plans the events announces a theme. This year, the theme is “MLK HIStory our Legacy”.
“Dr. King’s birthday celebrations are a time to bring the community together, people young and old, from all walks of life and backgrounds, to express and display what his dream has meant to us and how we can make it a reality daily in our families, communities, and places of work,” said Nathaniel Batchelder in a news release. “We are proud that these events are inclusive of all races, creeds, and religions.”
The organizing committee is recognizing and celebrating some of the celebration’s founding members and “trailblazers” who will be honored at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral during the annual program at 12:15 p.m. just before the parade on Monday.
They are Mr. R.L. Doyle, Mr. Roosevelt Milton, Senator Angela Monson, Mr. Nathanial Batchelder, the late Representative Opio Toure and the late Mr. Paul Thompson.
Event schedule
Sunday, January 15th
- 3:00 PM: The Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Program at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 5700 N. Kelley, OKC
- 6:00 PM: “One Mic, One Voice” Program, at Temple B’nai Israel, 4901 N Penn, OKC
Monday, January 16th
- 7:00 AM: Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Program, at the MWC Reed Center
- 9:00 AM: Annual Job Fair 9am to 1pm, Douglass HS, 900 N. MLK, OKC
- 9:00 AM: Opening Program at the Freedom Center, 2500 N. MLK Blvd. OKC
- 9:45 AM: Silent March, starting at the Freedom Center, ending at the Oklahoma History Center
- 10:45 AM: National Bell Ringing ceremony at the Oklahoma History Center
- 12:15 PM: The Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Program at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, 127 NW 7th, OKC. Speaker will be Rev. Michael McDaniel of the Northeast Missionary Baptist Church.
- 2:00 PM: MLK Holiday Parade, starting at NW 6th and Walker, ending at W. Reno and Walker
If you want to participate
We would like to see everyone participate in these events. Schools, faith-based, community and business groups are all invited to the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. events.
Parade registration is $45 if received by the January 6, ’23, deadline. Late registration of $75 is due by January 10, ’23. Participation packets and details are available under the events tab at www.okcmlkjrcoalition.org – or contact William Jones, Event Coordinator at (405) 306-8440.
Commemorative t-shirts are available by pre-order online or at upcoming community events—check out the details at www.okcmlkjrcoalition.org.
Sponsors of this year’s celebration are The Oklahoma City Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Coalition and Paycom.
Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Brett continues to contribute reports and photography to this site as he runs the business.
