Annual MLK Day Celebration in Lexington set for Jan. 20, 2025
Update Dec. 10, 2024: The University of Kentucky and the Lexington MLK Day committee are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Nikki Giovanni, a remarkable poet, author and activist whose life and work inspired so many. The university will share updates in the coming weeks about Lexington's 2025 MLK Day program as details become available.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 9, 2024) – The 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration will take place Monday, Jan. 20, beginning with the annual Freedom March at 1 p.m. and concluding with the commemorative program, 2 p.m. at the Central Bank Center.
“Lexington’s Martin Luther King Day Celebration is one of the longest-running programs of its kind and predates the federal holiday by 13 years,” said DeBraun Thomas, Lexington MLK Day committee member. “This program has been known for its inspiring, uplifting, and always relevant messaging and as we navigate through what the beginning of these next four years may hold, we as people will continue to stand against all who work to dismantle the legacy of Dr. King and his vision of a Beloved Community, Past, Future, and Present."
The MLK Holiday Observance in Lexington provides an opportunity for the local community to come together to honor Martin Luther King’s legacy of freedom, justice, peace and equal opportunity for all Americans. The annual march and program draws participation of several thousand people from across Central Kentucky and beyond. The MLK Holiday Observance is a free public event designed to inspire and elevate King’s vision and legacy.
The program keynote speaker will be Nikki Giovanni. Giovanni has written more than 30 volumes of poetry and prose, including several children’s books. Giovanni is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including Woman of the Year Awards from both Ebony and Mademoiselle magazines, Governor’s Awards from both Tennessee and Virginia, keys to more than two dozen cities, 31 honorary doctorates and, most recently, the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize from the Poetry Foundation. Giovanni recently retired from Virginia Tech as University Distinguished Professor Emerita.
“It is our hope that this year’s program will provide our community with an opportunity to heal through the words of Nikki Giovanni and leave us all inspired to continue to lead with light and love,” Thomas said.
Community members can support the MLK Celebration at https://bgcf.givingfuel.com/mlk-holiday-committee-fund.
About the MLK Day Planning Committee
Lexington’s Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance was founded in 1973, five years after the tragic assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968. Jerry Stevens, the first director of University of Kentucky's then-Office of Minority Student Affairs and Edgar Mack, faculty member in UK’s College of Social Work, served as founders and co-coordinators during the early days of this observance. They would later be joined by Chester Grundy, who upon his hiring, would take on the role of program coordinator in 1974.
The MLK Holiday was originally established not only to elevate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. but to establish an undergraduate scholarship in his honor. More historical details can be found at https://bgcf.givingfuel.com/mlk-holiday-committee-fund.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.