THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. 

COMMEMORATIVE COMMISSION

OUR MISSION

To reaffirm and reflect upon the American ideals of freedom, justice and peace. To that end, we pledge to work inclusively with community partners to:

OUR HISTORY

The first recorded community celebration for the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in January of 1982. Reverend William D. Booth served as chair and the Reverend Harold A. Middlebrook, co-chair. The first speaker for the MLK celebration was the Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth.

In 1983, the Knoxville Inter-denominational Christian Ministerial Alliance began having community services. These services were started before the celebration became a federal or local holiday. At the same time, several other organizations were holding celebrations, including the Committee for the Development of the Black Community, the Walter Cansler YMCA, the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Knoxville College, The Black Cultural Center at the University of Tennessee, Beck Cultural Exchange Center and Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.

In 1987, the afore-mentioned groups formed a "General Planning Committee" to lead a community-wide celebration of the "Holiday." The Committee officially became what is now known as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commemorative Commission later that year.

The first community-wide service was held in 1988 at the Greater Warner Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church. In 1990, the service was moved to the Knoxville City Auditorium where it remained for three years. In 1993, the service was moved back to Greater Warner where it has remained since.

Over the years, the Commission has added the MLK Parade (1985), the Leadership/Diversity Awards Luncheon (1990), the Leadership Symposium on Equity and Opportunity (1992), and the Youth Symposium (1993).  The Musical/Cultural/Arts Tribute and the Ebony Artistry Exposé exhibits were also added to the celebration. As well, the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA Race Against Racism is a partnered event. In 2006 the Commission added its partnership with the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance which hosts an annual Community Discussion Forum.  In, 2010 the Commission introduced two new programs, the Teacher In-Service Training Curriculum (Approved by Knox County Schools) and the Gallery of Arts Tribute Reception and Display which kicks off the celebration and continues throughout the month of February in honor of Black History Month.

Renee Kesler, MLK Chair, has served in this role since 2005 and Rev. Dr. Harold A. Middlebrook, Sr., a founding member serves as MLK Commission Chair Emeritus.

Our hats are off to all who have worked so hard and diligently to make the Commission the body that it is today, as well as to those who have participated and contributed to the overall success of our endeavor. Thanks to you all.

Post Office Box 155 ♦ Knoxville, Tennessee 37901-0155 ♦ www.MLKKnoxville.org

Website Designed By RK Consulting