The Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission (Commission) was established in 1985 by Executive Order. Today the Equal Opportunity Division provides administrative support to the commission. The Commission is a statewide advocate of Dr. King's principles of nonviolence and annually honors Ohio's citizens who work to promote diversity and eliminate discrimination through nonviolent methods. Each year, the Commission presents awards to Ohioans to celebrate the life of Dr. King, whose teachings encourage nonviolent actions to secure equal rights for all Americans. The commemorative celebration is held each January in downtown Columbus. The Commission strives to carry our Dr. King's dream of service to others throughout the entire year through various events. To learn more about the Commission as well as how you can become involved, please click below.
Awards will be presented to Ohio individuals and organizations who carry on the legacy Dr. King's dream and advance his philosophy of nonviolent social change at the 2019 Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration on Jan. 17, 2019 at Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Columbus.
The commission is seeking nominations of deserving individuals and organizations from across Ohio to receive awards for carrying on Dr. King’s legacy.
The 2019 MLK Calendar is free and will be available to the public on a "first come, first serve" basis. Click here for a list of regional distribution centers.
For 2019, the MLK Commission selected the theme "It's Our Turn: A Movement toward Justice." Click here to learn more about the competition for students in grades K-12 and for contact information of a regional coordinator near you.
This Community Calendar is to highlight events across Ohio commemorative Dr. King. If your community has a diversity event or an event celebrating Dr. King that you would like included, please send an email to the MLK Commission at mlk@das.ohio.gov.
MLK Commission Meetings
Who are the members of the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission? Click here to meet them.
The year 2018 marked an unfortunate landmark in American history. To memorialize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the 50th anniversary of his tragic death, the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission hosted “50-Year Legacy: an MLK Memorial Event” at noon, Wednesday, April 4 in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium, downtown Columbus. Speakers included the Rev. Joel L. King, Jr., a first cousin to Dr. King who is a Gahanna resident, and David Jehnsen, who lead a Chicago delegation to the 1963 March on Washington. Jehnsen, a Galena resident, is chair and founding trustee of the Institute for Human Rights and Responsibilities. The Columbus State Community College Gospel Vocal Ensemble also performed at this free event.
Click here to view photos from the event.
The year 2014 marked a landmark in American history, particularly for the Civil Rights Movement. View Governor Kasich and Lt. Governor Taylor's resolution commemorating 50th Anniversary of Civil Rights Act.
The year 2013 marked a landmark in American history. On Aug. 28, 1963, the March on Washington culminated with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s historic "I Have a Dream" speech.
The Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission (Ohio MLK Commission) and Governor John R. Kasich, together with the King Center in Atlanta and the 50th Anniversary Coalition, encouraged individuals and organizations throughout Ohio to pause to remember, reflect and act upon the dream that Dr. King shared with the world 50 years ago. Organizations were invited to join in "Let Freedom Ring" bell-ringing events at 3 p.m. on Aug. 28, a half-century to the minute after Dr. King delivered his historic address. Please see the links below for more information.
The Ohio MLK Commission hosted a bell-ringing commemorative ceremony at the West Plaza of the Statehouse in downtown Columbus on Aug. 28 at 3 p.m. Please see below for additional information.
Ohio MLK Commission "Let Freedom Ring" photos:
For more photos from the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Bell Ringing, please visit the MLK Commission on Facebook! Like us at: www.facebook.com/ohiomlkcommission.
Commission members include: Will Lucas, chair (Toledo); Rev. Joel L. King, Jr., vice chair (Gahanna); Napoleon A. Bell II (Columbus); Paul M. Booth (Cincinnati); Sen. Edna Brown (Toledo); McKinley Brown (Cincinnati); David Jehnsen (Galena); Dorothy Lovell Jones (Lima); Elizabeth Blount McCormick (Columbus); Rev. Lorenzo Norris (Cleveland); and Eddie Sipplen (Akron). Now you can follow the MLK Commission on Facebook! Like us at: www.facebook.com/ohiomlkcommission. To contact the MLK Commission, e-mail mlk@das.ohio.gov.
4200 Surface Road Columbus, Ohio 43228 Phone: 614-466-8380 Fax: 614-728-5628 Email: das-eod@das.ohio.gov
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