41st Annual Reverend
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
“Dreaming together: Changed by the Past, Molding the Future”
Presented by: The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Unity Committee, City of Fresno.
January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968
“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Friday, January 17, 2025 –
Opening Garlanding Ceremony at 11:45 AM
at Courthouse Park
Location: Van Ness Avenue and Tulare Street, Fresno, CA 93721
Welcome remarks from Fresno County Board of Supervisors. This ceremony will feature performances from Fresno Unified School District Black Student Union and King Elementary School Dancers.
Contact: Gail Gaston [email protected] (559) 681-3140 or Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor at (559) 435-2212
Friday, January 17, 2025 –
Community Awards Program – 5:00 PM
at Fresno City Hall
Location: Fresno City Hall, Council Chambers,
2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721 Program will acknowledge our 2025 Educational Leadership Awardee, Community Leadership Awardee, and the Les Kimber Community Service Awardee. A light reception to follow.
Contact: Dr. Jeff Hunt [email protected]
Saturday, January 13, 2025
Candlelight Peace Vigil – 6:30 PM
at Fresno City Hall
Location: 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721.
Assemble at 6:30PM in front of Fresno City Hall.
Contact: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor at (559) 435-2212
Sunday, January 18, 2025
Clovis Police Department Community Breakfast – 9:00 AM
Location: Clovis Veterans Memorial District,
808 Fourth St. Clovis, CA 93612
The Clovis Police Department and the MLK Unity Committee of Fresno invite you to join us for the Annual Community Breakfast honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tickets are $5 each and tables of eight are available for reservation with advance payment of $40. Reservations are required, as only a very limited number of non-reserved seats will be available at the door.
Contact: Erin Ford-Horio [email protected] or (559) 324-2476
Monday, January 20, 2025
City of Fresno March – 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Location: St. John’s Cathedral 2814 Mariposa St,
Fresno, CA 93721
Marchers will assemble at St. John’s Cathedral at 9:30AM. March begins at 10:00 AM, stops at Fresno City Hall, then proceeds to the Veterans Memorial Auditorium at 2425 Fresno Street for the Commemoration Program.
Contact: James Lett III (559) 284-6420
Monday, January 20, 2025
Commemoration Program – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
at Veterans Memorial Auditorium
Location: 2425 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721
Join us at 11:00 AM for a celebration of the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his contributions to community, diversity, and our enriched culture. This year’s keynote speaker is Wendy McCully, Executive Director of the Fresno Unified School District Foundation.
Contact: Terri Kimber Edwards (559) 908-0639 or Eric Payne at [email protected]
Other M.L.K. events happening throughout Fresno you may wish to attend…
Other M.L.K events happening throughout Fresno you may wish to attend…
- Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Rev. Dr. M.L.K. Art, Essay and Speech Contest Reception – 5:00PM at Clovis Veterans Memorial
District Location: 808 4th Street, Clovis, CA 93612.
Contact: Dr. Jeff Hunt at [email protected] - Thursday, January 16, 2025
West Fresno Ministerial Alliance Prayer Breakfast – 7:00AM at Cornerstone Conference Center
Location: 1445 Fulton St, Fresno, CA 93721 - Friday, January 17, 2025
Jazz Tribute to the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – 9:00AM-12:00PM A radio tribute to the legacy of Dr. King, Jr. through commentary and music composed and recorded by jazz artists who supported the Civil Rights Movement. Listen on 90.7 FM, Kfsr.org, Tune-In Radio Fresno State.
Contact: Dr. Robert S. Mikell at [email protected] - Friday, January 17, 2025
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration at Fresno State from 12:00PM-1:00PM Location: 5241 N Maple Ave, Fresno CA, 93740. Fresno State Peace Garden In addition to the commemoration, there will be a small exhibit located in the Cross Cultural and Gender Center depicting MLK’s journey. Light refreshments will be provided.
Contact: Michael Ray Blathers Jr. (559)278-8529 - Sunday, January 19, 2025
Fresno City College Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration at 2:00PM
Location: Fresno City College, 1101 E University Ave, Fresno, CA 93741
Join Interim Fresno City College President Dr. Kim Armstrong and Pastor Ed Thomas as they gather to commemorate Dr. King’s 1964 march for civil rights at Ratcliffe Stadium. Marchers will meet in front of the courtyard near the President’s Office at Fresno City College.
Contact: Edward Thomas at [email protected]
Special Thanks to Our Community Partners:
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer
City of Fresno
Fresno City Councilmembers
Fresno County Board of Supervisors
Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
Fresno Unified School District
Clovis Unified School District
California Highway Patrol
Fresno Police Department
Clovis Police Department
Clovis Veterans Memorial District
ABC 30 Action News-KFSN TV
The Les Kimber Family
Educational Employees Credit Union
The Central Valley Urban Institute
The Honorable M.L.K. Unity Committee Members:
Founding Member: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor
Chair: James Lett III
Vice – Chair: Mike Salas CHP
Treasurer: Gail Gaston
Secretary: Dr. Jeff Hunt
Terri Kimber- Edwards
Erin Ford- Horio
Eric Payne
Summer Gaston – Gehris
M.L.K. Unity Committee Officers:
Founding Member: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor
Chair: Gail Gaston
Secretary: Dr. Jeff Hunt
Treasurer: Eric Payne
M.L.K. Unity Committee Members:
Terri Kimber Edwards
Erin Ford-Horio
Summer Gaston-Gehris
James Lett III
CHP Public Information Officer Mike Salas
George Rodriguez
John Sturdivant
M.L.K. Unity Committee Information:
Ciannah Moreno, Council Assistant, District Three
(559) 621-7836 [email protected]