MLK Day March
Join in on the annual MLK Day commemorative march (photo: MLK Coalition)

Honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 20, 2025 with these events in the Cincy community.   

 

Start the day at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center for a morning of music, reflection and a call to action to celebrate the enduring legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This ticketed event will kick off at 8 AM with a continental breakfast, followed by keynote speaker Wendy Ellis, Dr PH, the inaugural director of the Institute for Racial, Ethnic and Socioeconomic Equity and the founding director of the Center for Community Resilience at George Washington University

* The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will be offering free admission all day on January 20th in observance of the holiday. 

 

The Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition of Cincinnati will be holding its 50th anniversary program and commemorative march immediately following. This year's theme, “Jubilee for MLK’s Beloved Community", draws from Dr. King's 1960 Freedom Jubilee speech in Pittsburgh, where he celebrated the ongoing fight for equality.  

 

The 50th annual commemorative march will begin outside of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center at 10:30 AM, starting with an interfaith prayer service. This activation is free and open to the public, so invite friends, families and colleagues to participate in a mile-long walk through the streets of downtown Cincinnati, ending at Washington Park.

For those who are unable to walk but wish to still experience the March route, Metro will be offering a complimentary Rosa Parks Bus. 

 

MLK Day - Chorale
MLK Chorale performance (photo: MLK Coalition)

Following the march, the celebration will continue at historic Cincinnati Music Hall with a full program of speakers and entertainment beginning at 12:00 p.m. 

Enjoy inspirational performances by the MLK ChoraleBaba Charles and the Samba Band, and a step routine. This year's keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Professor of History, Ohio State University. 

 

Come spend time with the Cincy Region community, reflect on Dr. King’s legacy and be inspired to continue working towards advancing equity, justice, and freedom.