The Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission (Commission) was established in 1985 by Executive Order. Today, the DAS Administrative Support Division provides 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, April 20, 2021 10 a.m. VIRTUAL MEETING: Click Here to Join via Microsoft Teams +1 614-721-2972 United States, Columbus (Toll) Conference ID: 579 392 84# Click here to view agenda.
ARCHIVE: MLK Commission Meetings
Each January, the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission holds a ceremony commemorating Dr. King and his legacy. 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 as part of the 2022 Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration. More details about the celebration, which is held each January leading up to the MLK holiday, will be available in the coming months.
The Commission this year reformatted the awards and nomination timeline. Nominations for five awards will now be accepted year-round with the deadline for nominations at Oct. 30 for the following January's event. Any nominations received after Oct. 30 will be considered for the following year's event. Nominations can be submitted electronically by clicking here to download and complete the nomination form. Awards will be presented in the following categories.
Governor’s Humanitarian Award
Individual Award
Organization Award
Collaborative Effort Award
Youth: Capturing the Vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Click the image below to learn more.
The 2021 MLK Calendar is now available for download. Please click here 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.
