The Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council and the U of A will honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend with its 27th annual holiday celebration of the Civil Rights leader. 

The overall message of the weekend is titled “Disruptive Love – The Foundation of the Beloved Community” and will feature a number of events starting on Saturday, Jan. 14. 

The NWA MLK Council is proud to welcome Dr. Cornel West as its featured speaker for its Recommitment Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 14. West is a prominent professor, philosopher, author and activist and is the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair at Union Theological Seminary. 

West teaches on the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, as well as courses in philosophy of religion, African American critical thought and a wide range of subjects — including but by no means limited to the classics, philosophy, politics, cultural theory, literature and music. He has a passion to communicate to a vast variety of publics in order to keep alive the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., a legacy of telling the truth and bearing witness to love and justice.

Tickets for this event are sold out, but West will also be attending the MLK noon-day vigil at the Faulkner Center for Performing Arts on Monday, Jan. 16. 

Schedule of Events

Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023:

Community Service Project
Asbell Elementary (1500 N. Sang Ave., Fayetteville)
9 – 11 a.m.

Donations of winter hats, gloves, socks and sweaters (children and adult sizes) are welcomed.

This event is co-sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Omicron Zeta Lambda Chapter. For more information, please contact John L. Colbert (479-435-1393). 

Consecrating Hallowed Ground
Springdale 
12:45 p.m.

On the western shoreline of Lake Fayetteville, this new event will take place as a way to bring people together to observe and reflect on the work of Dr. King and learn more about how we can continue to fulfill his dream.

This event is co-sponsored by UNITY Love Creation and the NWA Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council.

27th Annual MLK Recommitment Celebration
Fayetteville Public Library Event Center, 401 W. Mountain St., Fayetteville
Reception at 5 p.m.; event begins at 6:30 p.m.

This year's event will feature a heavy hors d'oeuvres reception (for sponsors and VIP ticket holders only), dynamic entertainment, recognition of the 2023 Salute to Greatness Award recipients, recognition of high school and college scholarship recipients and an intimate conversation with West.

Tickets for this event are sold out, but West will also be attending the MLK noon-day vigil at the Faulkner Center for Performing Arts on Monday, Jan. 16. 

Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service
Historic St. James Missionary Baptist Church (764 W. North St., Fayetteville)
3 p.m.

The featured speaker is Deacue Fields, vice president for agriculture for the U of A System. 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, Jan. 16, 2023:

MLK Dream Keepers Youth Unity Breakfast 
Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House (491 Razorback Rd., Fayetteville)
8 a.m.

This event will 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.

It will also feature past president of the MLK Dream Keepers Taylor Davis as speaker.  

MLK Dream Keepers Youth Engagement Program 
U of A HPER Building (Fayetteville)
9:30 a.m.

U of A athletes will host an engagement program for youth in the NWA community. This event is sponsored by U of A Intramural Sports and intercollegiate athletics.

MLK Freedom March
Corner of MLK Boulevard & Razorback Road (Fayetteville)
11 a.m.

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.

In case of inclement weather, the march will take place in the U of A Union Verizon Ballroom.

Martin Luther King Jr. Noon Day Vigil
Faulkner Performing Arts Center (453 Garland Ave., Fayetteville) 
Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

The Associated Student Government and the Black Students Association at the U of A invite the campus and community to celebrate and remember the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual vigil.

Doors will open at 11:30 a.m., and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This year's vigil will include remarks from students and Chancellor Charles Robinson, a performance by the Inspirational Chorale and a moderated Q&A with Cornel West, prominent professor, philosopher, author and activist. Questions for West can be submitted submitted here.

This event is sponsored by the Black Students Association and the Associated Student Government of the U of A. This event is free and open to the public.

In addition to the vigil, ASG encourages all to view the 2023 MLK Calendar of Events for other events and service opportunities.