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State of Indiana Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebrations

2023 MLK Celebration Recording

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2023 MLK Celebration Recording

2023 Photo Gallery

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2023 Photo Gallery

2023 MLK Light Show

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2023 MLK Light Show

32nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Indiana Holiday Celebration

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission, the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, Indiana Black Expo, Inc., and AFSCME Local #725 will be hosting the 32nd Annual State of dfghjklIndiana Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration. There will be a wreath placing ceremony on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at 6:00 PM at the Indiana War Memorial: Soldiers and Sailors Monument including a commemorative light show. The following day, there will be a Celebration including an award ceremony on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 12:00 PM at the Indiana Statehouse. The celebration will also be livestreamed to the public.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929; in 1983, thanks to efforts from late Indiana Congresswoman Katie Beatrice Hall, his birthday was approved as a federal holiday which we celebrate on the third Monday of January each year. The Annual State of Indiana Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration honors Dr. King’s life, commitment to service, and pursuit of equal rights for all.

This year’s program is centered around Dr. King’s quote “Make a Career of Humanity” from his speech at the March for Integrated Schools in 1959. Dr. King urged the nation to make a commitment to “the noble struggle for equal rights” in order for us to create “a finer world to live in.”

Register for the 32nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Indiana Holiday Celebration here! 

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State of Indiana Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration Awards

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission, the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, Indiana Black Expo, Inc., and AFSCME #725 will be awarding four Hoosiers who have followed in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Nominate a fellow Hoosier for one of the awards below:

Freedom Award

This award is granted to individuals or projects whose major societal influence includes breaking down barriers that have divided us in the past and/or building ongoing relationships that foster respect, understanding, and harmony in our society.

Chairman’s Award 

Presented at the Chair’s discretion, it recognizes local projects, programs, initiatives, and/or leaders that make significant contributions toward achieving the “dream” of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the areas of economic development, poverty reductions, social justice and/or peacemaking efforts.

Trailblazer Award

The recipient is the ultimate pillar of their community; their efforts have afforded rights and liberties that did not exist previously.

Civil Rights Champion Award

Presented by ICRC to recognize trailblazers who, inspired by Dr. King’s dream, have devoted their personal and professional efforts to creating social justice in America and the State of Indiana.

Nominations for the 2023 Awards are now closed.

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