In January 2022, the City of Dallas will host its 40th annual celebration of the life an legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a weeks’ worth of events highlighting issues of equity, diversity, and opportunity. The week will include a Day of Prayer, a Day of Service, a Wreath Laying Ceremony, Job Fair, Equity Symposium, Youth Summit, and Scholarship & Awards Gala. Celebration week will culminate with the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Virtual Parade.
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. devoted his life to advancing equality, social justice, and opportunity for all, and challenged all Americans to participate in the never-ending work of building a more perfect union; and
WHEREAS, Dr. King’s teachings can continue to guide and inspire us in addressing the challenges facing our society; and
WHEREAS, The King Holiday and Service Act, enacted in 1994, designated the holiday as a national day of volunteer service, and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort; and
WHEREAS, Since 1994, millions of Americans have been inspired by the life and work of Dr. King to serve their neighbors and communities on this holiday; and
WHEREAS, The Opening Ceremony is an inaugural event celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King and includes the unveiling of a memorial wreath; and
WHEREAS, Each of us can and must contribute to improving our community with increased opportunity for all residents; and
WHEREAS, Residents of Dallas are encouraged to participate in MLK events hosted by the city throughout the week, starting on January 11, 2022, as well as create and implement meaningful community service projects in the month of January.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ERIC JOHNSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DALLAS, do hereby proclaim January 11 – 17, 2022 as
in Dallas, Texas
The City of Dallas and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center invites the community to watch its Wreath Laying Ceremony online, celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King.
Mayor, City of Dallas
District 7 Councilmember, Dallas City Council
MLK Board & Chair of the 40th Annual MLK Celebration Committee, District 1
Chair, MLK Board, District 10
MLK Board, District 14
Assistant Pastor, Cathedral of Deliverance
A virtual job fair in partnership with Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas featuring on-site hiring and a showcase of workforce skills and credentialing programs to support job seekers.
Join the Change is Possible Tour and the city of Dallas for a virtual forum to learn from ex-offenders, judges, and restorative justice advocates about race and equity in our justice system, including the challenges of successful reintegration.
Moderator, Organizer of the Change is Possible Tour
President of Urban Specialists & O.G.U (Original Gangstas Unite-versity)
Jr. is the Chairman of the Community Police Oversight Board for the city of Dallas
Municipal Judge at City of Dallas
Founder of Unity Unlimited, Inc.
Judge of Dallas County Criminal Court #2
Motivational Speaker & Coach
Judge, 282nd Judicial District Court in Dallas County
Join the City of Dallas and Office of Equity & Inclusion in a critical conversation on building an equitable and inclusive Dallas.
Chief of Equity and Inclusion, City of Dallas - Equity
Program Director, Invest in Texas, Interim Research & Data Director, Every Texan
Moderator: Sarah Cotton Nelson
Chief Philanthropy Officer, Communities Foundation of Texas
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Jaime Resendez
Member of the Workforce, Education and Equity Committee
WEE Committee Chair and Councilwoman of District 11, City of Dallas
Vice Chair of the Workforce, Education and Equity Committee
Managing Partner, CoSpero Consulting
Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dallas Regional Chamber
Deputy Superintendent, Dallas Independent School District
Chief Medical Officer, Parkland Hospital
Equity Officer, Office of Equity and Inclusion
Moderator: Dr. Michael Sorrell
President, Paul Quinn College
Vice President of Organizational Development, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Minister of Justice, Friendship West Baptist Church
Executive Director of Economic Mobility Systems, Dallas County Promise
Join the Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. King.
Sr. Pastor, Carter Temple CME Church
Annual Gala featuring keynote speaker Dr. Eddie Glaude, scholarships, awards presentations, and performances.
Networking Social/Reception
Gala
Mistress of Ceremony, WFAA
Keynote Speaker
Vice President and General Manager, NRG Retail and Reliant Residential
District 3 Councilmember, Dallas City Council
District 4 Councilmember, Dallas City Council
District 7 Councilmember, Dallas City Council
District 8 Councilmember, Dallas City Council
District 11 Councilmember, Dallas City Council
MLK Board & Chair of the 40th Annual MLK Celebration Committee, District 1
Vice Chair, MLK Board, District 3
MLK Board, District 5
Chair, MLK Board, District 10
Trail Blazer Award
Gala Wind Down
The City of Dallas, Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, and Faith Forward Dallas, reflects and honors the work of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., his fight for a more just society, social activism, and ability to galvanize support from various Faith Leaders.
MLK Advisory Board, 40th Annual MLK Celebration Committee Member, Chair of Day of Prayer, District 5
Canon Evagelist, Episcopal Diocese of Dallas
Pastor of Evangelism Lakepointe Church Rockwall
Pastor Clifford & Lady Bridget Mitchell
Founders Encouraging Word Bible Fellowship Church
Pastor, Alive Church
Founder New Millennium Bible Fellowship
MLK Board & Chair of the 40th Annual MLK Celebration Committee District 1
Episcopal Dioceses of DallasSt. Matthew’s Cathedral
Youth Leader New Millennium Bible Fellowship
MLK Advisory Board, 40th Annual MLK Celebration Committee Member District 12
MLK Advisory Board, 40th Annual MLK Celebration Committee Member District 3
Member, Faith Forward Dallas
Co-Chair, Faith Forward Dallas
Leadership Council Member, Faith Forward Dallas
Member, Faith Forward Dallas
Co-Chair, Faith Forward Dallas
Past Chair, Faith Forward Dallas
The Youth Commission will host a Field Day exploring MLK’s legacy, youth impact, and ways to be a leader and make a difference throughout Texas.
This 2022 Virtual Parade will be pre-recorded and broadcast on the public access channel. It is a compilation of videos and pictures depicting MLK Day parades of the past. There will be interviews discussing the 2022 theme: “40 Years Strong: A Look Toward the Future.”
James “Jim” Wilson Jeffcoat, Jr.
Parade Marshall
Parade Marshall
Grandmother of Juneteenth
Mayor, City of Dallas
City Council District 1
District 3 Councilmember, Dallas City Council
District 7 Councilmember, Dallas City Council
District 8 Councilmember, Dallas City Council
District 11 Councilmember, Dallas City Council
District 13 Councilmember, Dallas City Council
Dallas County Judge
Representative, District 100, Texas House of Representatives
MLK Board & Chair of the 40th Annual MLK Celebration Committee, District 1
Vice Chair, MLK Board, District 3
MLK Board, District 4
MLK Board, District 5
MLK Board, District 9
MLK Board, District 11
MLK Board, District 14
Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center