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.
Friday, January 16, 2026 – Garlanding Ceremony – 11:45 AM -12:45 PM
Courthouse Park,1100 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA 93721
Welcome presented by District 3 Councilmember Miguel Arias and County Supervisor Luis Chavez
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. The ceremony will also feature the King Elementary School Dancers and over 150 students from Fresno Unified and other local school districts.
Contact: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor (559) 435-2212 or Gail Gaston (559) 681-3140
Saturday, January 17, 2026 – Clovis Police Department Community Breakfast – 9:00 – 10:30 AM
Clovis Veterans Memorial District, 808 4th Street, Clovis, CA 93612
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, President, California State University, Fresno
Tickets $5 each (pre-payment required). Contact: Erin Ford-Horio (559) 324-2476 or [email protected]
Sunday, January 18, 2026 – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Vigil – 2:00 PM
Impact Church, 1461 N. Chestnut Avenue, Fresno, CA 93703
Contact: Pastor Edward Thomas (559) 473-5493
Monday, January 19, 2026 – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community March 9:30 – 10:45 AM
St. John’s Cathedral, 2814 Mariposa Street, Fresno, CA 93721
Marchers will assemble at 9:30 AM. March begins at 10:00 AM, stops at Fresno City Hall, then proceeds to
Veterans Memorial Auditorium (2425 Fresno Street) where the program will conclude.
Parade Marshall: Mona Tatum and the King Elementary School Dancers
Contact: James Lett III (559) 284- 6420 or Gail Gaston (559) 681-3140
Monday, January 19, 2026 – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Program and Community Awards 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 2425 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721
Join us to celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his contributions to community diversity and our enriched culture. The program will include the presentation of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Awardees (Education Award – Dr. Lisa Mitchell; Civil Service Award – Dr. Peter Robertson; Kimber Community Service Award – Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), music, and a fireside chat with Central USD Superintendent, Dr. Mark Marshall. This year’s host is ABC 30’s Jessica Harrington.
Contact: Terri Kimber Edwards (559) 908-0639 or Eric Payne at [email protected].
Other Fresno Area Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Events
Friday, January 9, 2026 – 9:00 AM – NOON – Jazz Tribute to the Legacy of Dr. King – 90.7 FM (or stream at kfsr.org)
Dr. Robert Mikell pays tribute to the legacy of Dr. King through commentary and music composed and recorded by Jazz artists who supported the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech will be played in its entirety.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 – 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM – Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce 2026 Business Salute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 2233 Cesar Chavez Blvd, Fresno, CA 93721 Tickets: $40 Register at: https://BIT.LY/2026MLK
Thursday, January 15, 2026 – 7:00 AM – West Fresno Ministerial Alliance Prayer Breakfast
Cornerstone Conference Center 1525 Fulton St, Fresno, CA 93721. Contact Bishop Paul Binion ([email protected])
Keynote Speaker: Bishop Kenneth Ulmer
Thursday, January 15, 2026 – 5:00 PM – Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Rev. Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Art, Essay and Speech Reception
Clovis Veterans Memorial District, 808 4th Street, Clovis, CA 93612. Contact: Dr.Jeff Hunt [email protected]
Sunday, January 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM – Countdown to King Rally.
Impact Church: 1461 N. Chestnut Avenue, Fresno, CA 93703. Contact [email protected]
Spirit-filled worship service includes music and an encouraging message of peace, unity, equality and love.
Special Thanks to Our Donors & Community Sponsors
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer
City of Fresno
County of Fresno
Fresno City Councilmembers
Fresno County Board of Supervisors
Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
Educational Employees Credit Union
Fresno Unified School District
Clovis Unified School District
Central Unified School District
California Highway Patrol
Fresno Police Department
Clovis Police Department
Fresno County Sheriff’s Department
ABC 30 Action News-KFSN TV
Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission
The Les Kimber Family
Fresno County Tax Assessor, Paul Dictos
Dr. Peter Robertson
M.L.K. Unity Committee Officers
Founding Member: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor
Chair: James Lett III
Vice Chair: CHP Public Information Officer Mike Salas
Secretary: Dr. Jeff Hunt
Treasurer: Gail Gaston
M.L.K. Unity Committee Members
Terri Kimber Edwards
Erin Ford-Horio
Eric Payne
Summer Gaston-Gehris
John Sturdivant
Pastor Edward Thomas
M.L.K. Unity Committee Information
Gabriela Olea District 3 Chief of Staff
(559) 621-7834 [email protected]