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 out 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.
MLK Commission members include: McKinley Brown, chair (Cincinnati); Rev. Joel L. King, Jr., vice chair (Gahanna); Napoleon A. Bell II (Columbus); Paul M. Booth (Cincinnati); Kacy R. Bullard (Columbus); Senator Hearcel Craig (Columbus); David Jehnsen (Galena); Jeffrey L. Johnson (New Albany); Will Lucas (Toledo); Elizabeth Blount McCormick (Columbus); Christina Rodriguez (Toledo); and Tracey Winbush (Youngstown). 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.
Public Meeting Notice: Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission Tuesday, September 29, 2020 11 a.m. VIRTUAL MEETING: Click Here to Join via Microsoft Teams +1 614-721-2972 United States, Columbus (Toll) Conference ID: 243 715 554# Click here to view agenda.
ARCHIVE: MLK Commission Meetings
Each January the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission holds a ceremony in Columbus commemorating Dr. King and his legacy. This year’s celebration will be conducted virtually on January 14, 2021.
This event is a way for the State of Ohio to recognize Dr. King’s legacy and celebrate the service and achievements of Ohio residents and organizations who continue to work to keep that legacy alive. Awards will be presented in the following categories:
Click the image below to learn more.
The 2021 MLK Calendar is under development and will be available soon for download. Please check back to this site later for additional info.
For 2021, the MLK Commission selected the theme “The Fierce Urgency of Now: Building Bridges of Justice, Equality, and Unity,” prompting students to reflect on how we, as a society, can work to build towards justice, equality, and unity. 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 that commemorate 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.
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.
4200 Surface Road Columbus, Ohio 43228 Phone: 614-466-8380 Fax: 614-728-5628
Driving Directions
Tips Hotline: 1-888-623-8477 (MBE-TIPS)
Business Certification and Compliance
Research, Reporting and Recruitment
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission
EOD HOME
File a Discrimination Complaint
Certified Businesses
Certification Checklists
Affirmative Action Program Verification
Certificate of Compliance
Submit I-29 (Work-hour Utilization)
Publications
