FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council and the University of Arkansas will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend with its 24th annual holiday celebration of the civil rights leader.

The overall message of the weekend is titled "King's 2020 Vision: The Beloved Community – The Fierce Urgency of Now," and will highlight the achievements and sacrifices of King. Also highlighted will be the achievements of an NWA business and several NWA residents whose community service efforts advance the ideals of King. The public is invited to attend all programs, all of which are in Fayetteville.

Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020

Community Service Project
9 a.m. — Asbell Elementary School, 1500 N. Sang Ave.

Volunteers will prepare care packages for Asbell Elementary School students. The community has asked for donations of numerous items to fill care packages including: hats, gloves, lotion, chapstick, hand sanitizer and socks.  Please provide items donations to Dr. John L Colbert, PJ Lambey, Shaun Mayo or Jade Bunch prior to the event or drop off the donations at the event.

This event is sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and NWA Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council For more information, contact Dr. John L Colbert at (479) 435-1393.

Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service
3 p.m. — St. James Baptist Church, 764 W. North St.

The keynote speaker will be Arkansas state Rep. Jay Richardson. This event is hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and NWA Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council.  

Monday, Jan. 20, 2020

MLK Dream Keepers' Community Service Programs 

Youth Unity Breakfast & Activity
8-9:30 a.m. — Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House, 491 N. Razorback Road 

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 9:30 a.m. to engage in recreational games such as basketball, volleyball and soccer. Sponsored by the NWA MLK Council and U of A Intercollegiate Athletes.

MLK March and City Award Program
11:15 — University of Arkansas Parking Lot 56, corner of MLK Boulevard and Razorback Road
Inclement Weather Location: Verizon Ballroom, Arkansas Union, University of Arkansas

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. This event is sponsored by NWA Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council.

Noon-Day Vigil
Noon — University of Arkansas Union, Verizon Ballroom

The featured speaker is Dr. Joseph Daniels. This event is sponsored by the Black Students Association and the Associated Student Government of the University of Arkansas.

24th Annual Recommitment Banquet
7 p.m. — Fayetteville Town Center, 15 W. Mountain

The featured speaker will be George McGill, mayor of Fort Smith. This event will be hosted by the Northwest Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Planning Committee. 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. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Danielle L. Williams at 479-575-4825 or visit the MLK Council website.

For an events calendar, visit www.nwamlk.org/news-events.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among fewer than 3 percent of colleges and universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.