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Here is a quick list of regional commemorations, celebrations, service projects and family-friendly events.

January 18, 2020 from 9AM-12PM at Asbell Elementary in Fayetteville

Things will kickoff with a community service project hosted by the NWA Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Council and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Omicron Zeta Lambda Chapter. Community members are invited to volunteer to help prepare care packages for students of Asbell Elementary School in Fayetteville.

The group is requesting donations of the following items to fill care packages: hats, gloves, lotion, chapstick, hand sanitizer and socks. Donations can be dropped off at the event.

For questions, please contact Dr. John L Colbert (jcolbert78@gmail.com).

January 18, 2020 from 10AM-3PM in at the Jones Center in Springdale

Also on January 18th, a community event organized by Alice Gachuzo, the Poor People’s Campaign MLK Day Celebration will take place at the Jones Center in downtown Springdale. The free event will include food by Second Hand Smoke, a booth by Community Health Clinic, car mechanics, and haircuts.

January 19, 2020 from 3PM-5PM at St. James in Fayetteville

Taking place at the historic St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Fayetteville, the MLK Memorial Service will feature a keynote by Arkansas State Representative Jay Richardson. This event is hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and NWA Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council.

Family Fun Day

January 19, 2020 from 2PM-5PM at the Jones Center in Springdale

The Family Fun Day will include various family-friendly activities, music, and food. Crystal Bridges will have a booth where community members can design posters and help decorate a banner for the Springdale parade on Monday. Also, the community is invited to bring gently-used clothing items for a give one, take one table.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

There will be several events hosted by the Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council taking place on Monday at various locations and times. The public is invited to attend all programs, all of which are in Fayetteville.

Youth Unity Breakfast & Activity

January 20, 2020 from 8AM-9:30AM at Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House in Fayetteville

The purpose of this event is to allow youth to come together in prayer and reflect on how Dr. King’s dream has impacted their lives. There will be several youth speakers discussing freedom, equality, and justice for all. The youth will go to the University of Arkansas HPER building at 9:30AM to engage in recreational games such as basketball, volleyball and soccer.

2020 MLK Freedom March

January 20, 2020 from 11:15AM-12PM at the corner of MLK Blvd & Razorback Road in Fayetteville

The march will begin at the Lot 56 at the University of Arkansas on the corner of MLK Boulevard and Razorback Road and end at the Arkansas Union at the University of Arkansas. In case of inclement weather, participants will meet at the University of Arkansas Union, Verizon Ballroom.

Annual MLK Vigil

January 20, 2020 starting at noon at Arkansas Union Verizon Ballroom

The Associated Student Government and the Black Students Association at the University of Arkansas invite the campus and community to celebrate and remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual vigil at noon on Monday, Jan. 20, in the Arkansas Union Verizon Ballroom, on the fifth floor of the Arkansas Union.

This year’s vigil will include remarks from multiple speakers as well as a performance by the Historic St. James Missionary Baptist Church. The speakers at the 2020 vigil include a keynote address by Joseph W. Daniels III and members of the student body.

The vigil is free and open to the public.

24th Annual Recommitment Banquet

January 20th, 2020 starting at 7PM at Fayetteville Town Center

The featured speaker will be George McGill, mayor of Fort Smith. McGill is the first African American to run for the office of Mayor of Ft. Smith and was elected as the Mayor of Ft. Smith, AR in August of 2018. In addition, the MLK Scholarships will be awarded and the 2020 Salute to Greatness honorees will be recognized for outstanding community service.

The honorees are:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Dr. Paul Adams.
  • Ernestine White-Gibson Individual Achievement Award recipient is Rodger Hunter.
  • Rodney Momon Youth Award recipient is Xavier Smith.
  • Rev. J.A. Hawkins Posthumous Award recipient is the late Marilyn Smith.
  • Corporation of Year Award recipient is Visionairi Enterprises.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students (includes K-12 students and undergraduate students). To purchase banquet ticket, visit NWAMLK.org.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service & Stone Soup

January 20th, 2020 from 12PM-4PM in Fayetteville

Join Tri Cycle Farms at noon on Monday for Tri Cycle Farms’ 7th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service and Stone Soup. For this year’s day of service, volunteers will be honoring Dr. King’s legacy by helping Tri Cycle prep for the upcoming growing season. Volunteers will begin work at noon and afterward, the community will come together for a community meal at Trinity’s Fellowship Hall. This event is free and open to the public.

Volunteers are asked to bring a water bottle, work gloves if you have them, wear sturdy closed-toed shoes and dress in layers.

Parking available in the gravel parking lot at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Springdale 3rd Annual MLK Jr. Parade & Celebration

January 20th, 2020 from 11:30AM-2:30PM in Springdale

The parade will begin at 11:30AM at Luther George Park and end with a celebration at the Jones Center. The celebration will include a performances by Mark Harmony and the Gachuzo sisters, a keynote by D’Andre Jones, and a special guest speaker.

Please get in touch if you would like to add an event to this list.