40th Annual Reverend
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Forty Years Later: Reflecting on the Past,
Pursuing a Future of Inclusivity and Solidarity
Presented by: The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Unity Committee, City of Fresno, CA.
“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 12, 2024
Garlanding Ceremony – 11:45 AM
Welcome by 2024 City Councill President Annalisa Perea.
Greeting by District 3 Councilmember Miguel Arias. Keynote
Speaker: Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher,
Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. This ceremony will also feature
the FUSD Black Student Union and King Elementary School Dancers.
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM at Courthouse Park at
Van Ness Avenue & Tulare Street, Fresno, CA 93721.
Contact: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor (559) 435-2212 or Gail Gaston (559) 681-3140
Friday, January 12, 2024
Community Awards Program – 5:00 PM
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Robert M. Franklin, President Emeritus,
Morehouse College, Atlanta and Prof. of Moral Leadership,
Emory University, Atlanta.
Honorees:
Educational Leadership Award – Trustee Keshia Thomas, Fresno Unified School District;
Community Leadership Award – Rabbi Rick Winer, Temple Beth Israel;
Les Kimber Community Service Award – Rev. Chester Riggins.
5:00 PM at Fresno City Hall, 2600 Fresno Street. Reception to follow.
Contact: Summer Gaston at [email protected]
Saturday, January 13, 2024
Clovis Police Department Community Breakfast – 9:00 AM
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Kimberly Armstrong, President of Clovis Community College.
9:00 AM at California Health Sciences University,
2500 Alluvial Avenue,Clovis, CA 93611
(southwest corner of Temperance & Alluvial Avenues).
Tickets $5 each (Pre-Payment/Reservation Required).
Contact: Erin Ford-Horio (559) 324-2476 or [email protected]
Sunday, January 14, 2024
Candlelight Peace Vigil – 5:00 PM
Assemble at 5:00 PM at Martin Luther King Elementary School,
1001 E. Florence Avenue, Fresno, CA 93706.
Contact: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor (559) 435-2212
Monday, January 15, 2024
Community March – 9:30 AM
Marchers assemble at 9:30 AM at St. John’s Cathedral,
2814 Mariposa Avenue, Fresno, CA 93721. 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 (see below).
Contact: James Lett III (559) 284- 6420
Monday, January 15, 2024
Commemoration Program – 11:00 AM
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.
The program will include speakers, dancers and other tributes
and will be held at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium at 2425 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721.
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…
- Thursday, January 11, 2024
West Fresno Ministerial Alliance: Prayer Breakfast – 8:00 AM. Westside Church of God, 1424 W. California Avenue, Fresno, CA 93706.
Contact: Bishop Paul Binion at [email protected]. - Thursday, January 11, 2024
Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Rev. Dr. M.L.K. Art, Essay and Speech Contest Reception – 5:30 PM at Clovis Veterans Memorial Auditorium. 808 4th Street, Clovis, CA 93612
Contact: Dr. Jeff Hunt at [email protected]. - Friday, January 12, 2024
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]. - Sunday, January 14, 2024
Countdown to King Concert & Rally – 7:30-9:30 PM.
Some of the biggest names in the Valley will unite and push the message of peace, unity, equality, and love. Bethel Christian Center, 4665 N First Street, Fresno, CA 93726.
Contact: Edward Thomas at [email protected]. - Friday, January 19, 2024
Fresno State Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration – 12:00 PM. Presented by Fresno State African American Programs and Services Cross Cultural and Gender Center. 12:00 PM. Ellipse Gallery at the Fresno State Library, 2nd Floor. 5200 N. Barton Ave. Fresno, CA 93740
Contact: Michael Ray Blathers Jr-MSW at (559) 278-8529 ext. 88529 or [email protected].
Special Thanks to Our Community Partners:
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer
City of Fresno
Fresno City Councilmembers
Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
Fresno Unified School District
Clovis Unified School District
California Highway Patrol
Fresno Police Department
Clovis Police Department
SEIU Local 521
ABC 30 Action News-KFSN TV
The Les Kimber Family
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:
Gabriela Olea – District 3 Chief of Staff
(559) 621-7834 [email protected]