The Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission is committed to educating children about Dr. King's legacy of brotherhood among all people. At the first statewide Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Contest, held on April 7, 2000, at the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus, young people from throughout the state shared their speaking talents and knowledge of Dr. King's legacy.

Ohio MLK Holiday Commissioner Mildred Clark founded the contest in her hometown of Toledo 16 years ago to recognize Dr. King and involve children in that city's annual MLK celebration. In 1998, the first-place winners from Toledo spoke at the annual state Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration in Columbus, and in 1999, the state Holiday Commission adopted the program.

This year marks the fourth annual statewide oratorical contest. The contest was held on April 4, 2003 at the Ohio Historical Society. The theme for this year was again: "A nation united: all races, all faces, a dream revived." This year there were regional contests that sent their first, second and third place presenters to take part in the state competition. Those regional contests included: Toledo, Akron and Columbus. Student that did not fall within these regions were also encouraged tp participate.

For more information on the statewide oratorical contest, contact Bobbi Bell at the Ohio Department of Administrative Services' Equal Opportunity Division at (614) 466-8380.