The life and enduring legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is honored every year in the Cincy Region with a full day of local events. Mark your calendars for January 19, 2026, for a day of community, culture and reflection.
Start the day with the annual King Legacy Celebration at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center for a morning of music, devotion and a call to action to celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Doors open for this ticketed event at 7:30 a.m. for a continental breakfast and networking hour, followed by the official program kicking off at 8:30 a.m. Hear from this year's keynote speaker, 2x Emmy-nominated, Peabody Award-winning and viral social media influencer, known as the "Gen Z Historian" - Kahlil Greene. Additionally, enjoy live performances from the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
* The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will be offering free admission all day on January 19th and offering the following schedule of special pop-ups, panels and experiences:
- 11 a.m. – Museum opens to the public. Visit the Freedom Center’s newest exhibit, Jubilation!, about the Fisk Jubilee Singers (who are performing both January 18 and 19).
- 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Home ownership symposium on the museum's third floor.
- Noon to 5 p.m. – Give back to the local medical community by taking part in the Hoxworth Blood Drive, located on the 4th floor. Donors are strongly encouraged to register in advance. Added bonus: While supplies last, donors will receive a free UC puffer vest and a $10 Kroger gift card.
- Noon to 5 p.m. – Peruse a local Service Fair, featuring local service organizations including Poverty Liberation Collective, The Zonta Club of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CABVI), Ignite Peace, and Groundwork Ohio River Valley.
- 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. – King Legacy Celebration keynote Kahlil Greene and Dr. Megan Gerhardt will hold a special discussion on the topic of intergenerational empowerment and collaboration in the Harriet Tubman Theater.
- 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Trudy Gaba, NURFC Social Justice Curator, will hold a discussion on “Lifting as We Climb: A glimpse into Historically Black Benevolent and Mutual Aid Societies” in the Harriet Tubman Theater.
- 5 p.m. – Museum closes.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition of Cincinnati will be holding its 51st anniversary program and commemorative march immediately following the King Legacy Celebration.
The 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. After the parade, head to Music Hall at noon, for the Annual Program, featuring special keynote speaker, UC professor, Dr. Holly McGee.
* For those who are unable to walk but wish to still experience the March route, Metro will be offering a complimentary Rosa Parks Bus.
