FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council and the University of Arkansas will honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend with its 26th annual holiday celebration of the civil rights leader. 

The overall message of the weekend is titled “Creating Pathways for Change, One Day, One Step, One Person at a Time,” 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.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Service - 3 p.m.

Due to the current climate, the event will be hosted virtually.

• Join via Zoom.
• Meeting ID: 827 1417 9842 Passcode: NWAMLK

The featured speaker is Dr. Joe Daniels III, director, Supply Chain Sustainability (Walmart). This event is free and open to the public.

This event is hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and NWA Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council. 

MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2022

MLK Dream Keepers’ Virtual Youth Unity Breakfast 
Virtual Event via Zoom, 8 a.m.

Due to the current climate, the event will be hosted virtually.

• Join via Zoom.
• Meeting ID: 851 2731 4871 Passcode: NWAMLK

The purpose of this event is to allow youth to come together in prayer and reflect on how King's dream has impacted their lives. There will be several youth speakers discussing freedom, equality, and justice for all.  

MLK Dream Keepers’ Virtual Youth Engagement Program 
Virtual Event via Zoom - 9:30 a.m.

Due to the current climate, the event will be hosted virtually via Zoom.

• Join via Zoom.
• Meeting ID: 853 2400 1752: Passcode: NWAMLK

The University of Arkansas Intercollegiate Athlete will host a youth engagement program for youth in the NWA community.  Sponsored by the NWA MLK Council and U of A Intercollegiate Athletes.

MLK Virtual March
Virtual Event via Zoom - 11:15 a.m.

Due to the current climate, the event will be hosted virtually via Zoom.

• Join via  Zoom.
• Meeting ID: 864 5866 4232 Passcode: NWAMLK

We will gather in solidarity to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and recognize the sacrifices he made for civil rights, justice and freedom. The Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council encourages all Northwest Arkansas residents and communities to participate during this event. This event is free and open to the public.

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

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Noon Day Vigil
Virtual Event - Noon 

Due to the current climate, the event will be hosted virtually via Zoom.

Join via Zoom.

This event is sponsored by the Black Students Association and the Associated Student Government of the University of Arkansas. This event is free and open to the public. Read more about the vigil.

MLK Day of Service - Invasive Plant Removal Event 
Fay Jones Woods portion of the Lower Ramble Park, Fayetteville – 1-3 p.m.

The day of service event would consist of volunteers working to pull and cut invasive shrubs and vines from the woods in an effort to improve the ecosystem health of this urban woodland area adjacent to the Razorback Greenway. 

This event is co-sponsored by the city of Fayetteville Environmental Action Committee and the New School.

ENDS SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2022

Community Food Drive

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and NWA Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council is encouraging the Northwest Arkansas community to donate to the St. James Food Pantry.

Community members can provide a monetary donation to the food pantry via CashApp: $NWAMLKCOUNCIL or PayPal on our website: www.nwamlk.org. 

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

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2022

26th Annual Recommitment Event (Virtual) - 6 p.m.

This event will be hosted by the Northwest Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Council.

In light of the increasing COVID-19 activity, the MLK NWA Council had to reevaluate the 26th Recommitment Event. Given these circumstances, the event will be moved to 6 p.m. Jan. 22. Tickets to the event are still available via Eventbrite at nwamlk.eventbrite.com.

Thank you for supporting us and we strive to honor King's legacy while keeping our community safe.  

The keynote speaker is Cedric Clark, vice president and regional general manager (South Central Region), Sam’s Club.

In addition, the MLK Scholarships will be awarded and the 2022 Salute to Greatness honorees will be recognized for outstanding community service.  

The honorees are:  

• Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Dr. Jeffrey Murdock 
• Ernestine White-Gibson Individual Achievement Award recipient is Nate Walls Jr. 
• Rodney Momon Youth Award recipient is GeJuan Jordan
• Rev. J.A. Hawkins Posthumous Award recipient is the late Brig Caldwell
• Corporation of Year Award recipient is Clothes to Children, Emmily Leavy Founder & CEO

The Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council appreciates the support from our sponsors. 

The University of Arkansas is the executive producer and presenting sponsor to include the Arkansas Alumni Association, College of Engineering, Fay Jones School of Architecture & Design, Walton College of Business Dr. Barbara A. Lofton Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Office of Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Office of Enrollment Management, Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and The IDEALS Institute. Equal Opportunity, Compliance and Title IX, College of Education and Health Professions Intercollegiate Athletics, Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education

Major sponsors include WalMart. Walton Family Foundation, Tyson Foods Inc., Cox Communication and 3W Magazine.

Additional sponsors include: JB Hunt AAmERG, NWA Council, the Historic James Baptist Church, Tea Rose Foundation of NWA, Old Buildings. 

For more information about the MLK holiday events, visit: www.nwamlk.org/news-events

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.