Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Initiative

For questions or more information, please contact Ronda Robinson at Ronda.Robinson@ocfl.net.

Events in 2025

Events in 2024

Orange County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Initiative - Calendar of Events 2024 (PDF)

Events in 2023

Enero 2023

expiración	Evento
Enero 10	Orange County MLK Proclamation Presentation (County Commission)
Contest Extended to March 8th	First OC MLK Initiative Art Contest
Enero 13 11 a.m.	Annual MLK Commemorative Luncheon (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated)
Enero 14 10 a.m.	Orlando Jaycees Annual Parade
Enero 14 2 p.m.	Annual City of Eatonville Parade
Enero 16 7:30 a.m.	Annual Pappy Kennedy Breakfast
Enero 16 10 a.m.	Annual City of Ocoee Parade
Enero 16 2 p.m.	Annual City of Apopka Parade
Enero 16 10 a.m.	Annual City of Winter Garden Parade
January 23 - 27	OC Mayor’s Book Club Phase 2 Launch w/OC Public Library (Aligned w/Florida Literacy Week)
Enero 24	Orange County Black History Month Proclamation - Black History Committee of Orange County
January 26 - 29 (Tentative Dates)	Annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival
Enero 28 10 a.m.	MLK Day of Service Clean Up w/ Representative A. Eskamani
	Candid Conversations with Our Community \| The Life-Long Impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
	Rollins College Annual Week of Service

Febrero de 2023

expiración	Evento
February 1 - 28	Orange County Arts in the Chambers
Febrero de 3	Orange County MLK Initiative African American Renaissance Series - Part 1 Registration Page
Febrero de 24	Black History Committee of Orange County "Lunch on the Lawn"

February 2023 — Orange County Regional History Center Events

expiración	Evento
Febrero de 4	First Saturdays History Alive! – Theme: Celebrating Community
Febrero de 10	Home School Day: A Culture in Motion: The Harlem Renaissance
Febrero de 16	Book Club: Their Eyes Were Watching God – Zora Neale Hurston
Febrero de 18	Black History Month Family Event w/OC MLK Initiative
Febrero de 26	Brechner Series (In honor of the late Joseph L. Brechner)
February 7 - 21	Orange County Public Library - Annual AA Read In
Febrero de 5	Annual Dragon Parade Festivities (Lunar New Year)
Week of February 20	OC MLK Initiative Four Phases of Dr. King Part 2 (Tentative)

Marzo de 2023

expiración	Evento
Marzo de 2	Read Across America Project
March 9 & March 11	Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity – Southern Region Convention Activities & Events Heart of Gold Blood Drives Graduate School and Career Resource Fair Focus HBCU Fair XFL Game Day Experience Alpha South Orlando Magic Game Day Experience
March 11 & March 12	Orange County MLK AA Renaissance Series - Part 2

Abril de 2023

expiración	Evento
	A Tribute to Dr. King: In Commemoration *MLK Art Contest Winners Announced*
Part 3 - TBD	OC MLK AA Renaissance - "Greek Day on the County Lawn"

Mayo de 2023

expiración	Evento
Week of May 10	Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Mayo de 11	Orange County MLK AA Renaissance Series - Part 4 (Tentative)
Week of May 19	Haitian Heritage Month Celebration (5/18/2023 at 6 p.m.) Location: 2100 S Hiawassee Road, Orlando, FL 32835 Registration Page & Complete Details
Week of May 22	Asian Cultural Festival

Junio de 2023

expiración	Evento
Junio de 6 Board Meeting	Orange County Juneteenth Proclamation Presentation (County Commission)
Week of June 12th	Annual OC MLK Initiative Juneteenth Celebration / Orange County MLK AA Renaissance Series - Part 5
June 4 - June 12 (Tentative Dates)	OnePulse Foundation – Pulse Anniversary Remembrance Week

Julio de 2023

expiración	Evento
	MLK Monthly Membership Community Engagement Project
	Additional Activities – TBD

Agosto de 2023

expiración	Evento
	MLK Monthly Membership Community Engagement Project
	Back to School Project or Collaboration – (Tentative)
	Additional Activities – TBD

Septiembre 2023

expiración	Evento
N/D	African Leadership Council Event – African Heritage Month
September 15 - October 15	Hispanic Heritage Month
	MLK Monthly Membership Community Engagement Project
	Additional Activities – TBD

Octubre de 2023

expiración	Evento
	MLK Monthly Membership Community Engagement Project
	Additional Activities – TBD

Noviembre de 2023

expiración	Evento
	MLK Monthly Membership Community Engagement Project
November 25 & 26	FusionFest

Diciembre 2023

expiración	Evento
	MLK Monthly Membership Community Engagement Project
	Additional Activities – TBD

Events in 2022

All 2022 Events

expiración	Evento
January 2022 – February 2022	Orange County African American Employee Network Eddie Engram Essay Contest
Jueves, enero 13, 2022	January 13, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. - Delta Xi Lambda Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Incorporated - Leadership Forum Virtual Event
Jueves, enero 14, 2022	January 14, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Fierce Entertainment Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Virtual Celebration
Sábado, enero 15, 2022	Annual Orlando Jaycees Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Showcase Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center – Front Yard Venue @ 11:00 a.m. Orange TV \| Airing of Past Downtown Orlando Jaycees Annual MLK Parades (2019 & 2020) Orange TV \| Airing on Saturday, January 15, 2022 – “Community of Hope” MLK Commemoration Tribute Video (2021) Annual Town of Eatonville MLK Parade @ 2:00 p.m.
Lunes, enero 17, 2022	Annual Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Breakfast @ 7:30 a.m. – Livestream begins at 8:00 a.m. Annual Winter Garden MLK Parade @ 10:00 a.m. Annual Apopka MLK Parade @ 2:00 p.m. (Facebook Link) Chasing the Dream 5K - MLK Day Celebration (Registration Link) I Have a Dream 1M 5K 10K 13.1 26.2 - Participate from Home! City of Oviedo Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
16-21 de enero de 2022	Rollins College Center for Inclusion and Campus Involvement Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Week 2022
16-22 de enero de 2022	“Week of Action” in partnership with Heart of Florida United Way
21 de enero - 6 de febrero de 2022	The Mountaintop
Miércoles, enero 26, 2022	“Candid Conversations: The Kaleidoscope Table Talk Series” (Part I) w/Rollins College Black Student Union (Virtual) Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
27-30 de enero de 2022	Annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival 2022
13-27 de enero de 2022	Orlando Mayor’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Events
Sábado, enero 29, 2022	Lake Nona Lunar New Year by Lake Nona Social Saturday, January 29^th, 12PM to 4PM Nona Adventure Park – 14086 Centerline Dr, Orlando, FL 32827 Admission: $8.00 / person or $24 for party of four www.lunarlakenona.com
Febrero 1 - 28, 2022	“Art in the Chambers” – Hosted by the Black History Committee of Orange County, Florida
Febrero 1 - 28, 2022	WUCF Celebrates Black History Month
Febrero 3 - 28, 2022	Town of Oakland \| Honoring Black History Art and Heritage Exhibition
8 de febrero de 2022	Black History Committee of Orange County – Presentation of Annual Proclamation to Board of County Commission in recognition of Black History Month
Febrero 7 - 21, 2022	Orange County Library System African-American Read In 2022
Febrero 9 - 24, 2022	City of Orlando – Commissioner Bakari Burns District 6 - Black History Month Activities
February 9, 16, 23, and March 2, 2022	“Four Phases of Dr. King” – Black History Month Virtual Series – Hosted by the Orange County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Initiative – To air on Orange TV and County social media forums each Friday in the month of February to provide “historical nuggets” about Dr. King’s life through each captured decade Featured Guest Speakers: Russell Drake, Dr. Roneisha Randall, Contona Thomas, Dr. Earl Mowatt
24 de febrero de 2022	Diversitastic! Dining Experience: South Africa at the Bronze Kingdom (Link to Get Tickets)
25 de febrero de 2022	“Black History Lunch on the Lawn” – Hosted by the Black History Committee or Orange County, Florida @ 11:00 a.m.
16 de junio del 2022	Juneteenth Celebration on the Lawn Orange County Administration Building 6-8 p.m. Live entertainment, local art, food trucks and family friendly giveaway (Flyer Image)
Additional MLK Local Events	Central Florida MLK Activities & Events to Consider

Events in 2021

Enero 2021

expiración	Evento
9 de ene. de 2021	Orange County Regional History Yesterday This Was Home: Coffee with a Curator
15 de ene. de 2021 8 a.m.	MLK Pre-Day of Service Second Harvest 3401 Mercy Star Rd., Orlando, FL 32808
15 de ene. de 2021 7:30 p.m.	Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center Let Freedom Ring: Jazz & the Civil Rights Movement
16 de ene. de 2021 10 a.m.	Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center 2021 MLK Holiday Parade Showcase
17 de ene. de 2021 3 p.m.	Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center Virtual Interfaith Service: Love & Power
18 de ene. de 2021 10 a.m.	MLK Day of Service Holocaust Center of Florida Social Justice Exhibit 815 North Maitland Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751
18 de ene. de 2021 2 p.m.	Annual Apopka MLK Parade
Jan. 17 - 23, 2021	Rollins College: The Urgency of Now Events
Jan. 25 - 29, 2021	Read Across the County/Florida Literacy Week

For questions or more information, please contact Ronda Robinson at Ronda.Robinson@ocfl.net.

Febrero de 2021

expiración	Evento
Feb. 2021	Orlando Magic Events Walk With Us Town Hall Series
Feb. 2021	Orange County Regional History Yesterday This Was Home: Family Days: Growing a Better Tomorrow
5 de feb. de 2021 12 p.m.	Orange County Regional History Lunch & Learn: Collecting and Preserving the Black Lives Matter Movement
6 de feb. de 2021 10 a.m.	Orange County Regional History Family Day: Growing a Better Tomorrow
11 de feb. de 2021 6 p.m.	Orange County Regional History Yesterday This Was Home: Celebrating Black Culture: Music, Storytelling, and Poetry
11 de feb. de 2021 7 p.m.	“The Black Church” Documentary
18 de feb. de 2021 12 - 1 p.m.	His Legacy: Your Dreams Today \| How Dr. King Influenced My Life & Career with Doug Williams
Feb. 1 - Mar. 1, 2021	OC AAEN Eddie Engram Award Poetry Contest

Marzo de 2021

expiración	Evento
17 de mar. de 2021 6 p.m.	Candid Conversations: The Black Church

Agosto de 2021

expiración	Evento
19 de ago. de 2021 7 p.m.	Candid Conversations: Strengthening Bonds between the Faith and LGBTQ+ Communities

Events in 2020

Enero 2020

expiración	Evento
10 de ene. de 2020 10 a.m.	African American Council of Christian Clergy of Central Florida, “Spreading The Dream 2020" - Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, 445 South Magnolia Avenue, Orlando
12 de ene. de 2020 5:30 p.m.	Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Candlelight Vigil & March - (In partnership w/the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City of Orlando Commission)
14 de ene. de 2020	Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Official Proclamation Presentation - Board of County Commission Meeting
17 de ene. de 2020 11:30 a.m.	Annual Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Luncheon
18 de ene. de 2020 10 a.m.	Annual Downtown Orlando Jaycees Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
18 de ene. de 2020 2 p.m.	Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City of Eatonville Parade
18 de ene. de 2020 7 p.m.	African American Chamber of Commerce of Orlando Annual Eagle Awards
20 de ene. de 2020 7:45 a.m.	Annual YMCA Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Prayer Breakfast
20 de ene. de 2020 10 a.m.	Annual City of Ocoee Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
20 de ene. de 2020 2 p.m.	Annual City of Apopka Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
20 de ene. de 2020 6 p.m.	Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rollins College Vigil & March
Jan. 29, 2020 – Feb. 1, 2020	31^st Annual Zora Neale Festival
31 de ene. de 2020	Annual Zora Neale Festival - “Dear Martin” Novel – Meet the Author, Nic Stone

Febrero de 2020

expiración	Evento
Feb. 6 5:30 p.m.	Black History Committee of Orange County Art Exhibit & Ed. Series
Feb. 9 6 p.m.	African American Chambers Black Professionals Night
Feb. 12 5:30 p.m.	City of Orlando Black History Reception
Feb. 13 6 p.m.	Raise Your Glass Unity Mixer
Feb. 15 7 p.m.	Annual Black History Month Gala 2020 – Black History Committee of Orange County
Feb. 16 2 p.m.	Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings & The Orange County History Center presents, “Marching Forward” Screening
Feb. 17 10 a.m.	Orange County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Initiative “First Annual Random Acts of Kindness Day”
Feb. 18 6 p.m.	Greater Haitian American Chambers Black History Month Celebration
Feb. 28 11 a.m.	Black History Committee of Orange “Festival on the Lawn”

Resilience, Recover and Rejuvenation: In Unity

Virtual Town Hall Meeting

The challenges of COVID-19 have affected our Orange County community in various aspects. In the spirit of Dr. King’s mission to “persevere through adversity,” the Mayor Demings' Orange County MLK Initiative held a Virtual Town Hall Meeting hosted by Orange County MLK Initiative Chairs Monica May and Lisa Bachman.

Watch the Town Hall on YouTube or Vimeo

Candid Conversations with Our Community

Virtual Town Hall Meeting

In light of recent occurrences (both national and local) surrounding the death of George Floyd, Mayor Demings’ Orange County MLK Initiative held a Virtual Town Hall Meeting on June 5, 2020 to serve as a forum for local leaders to engage the community, hosted by Orange County MLK Initiative Chairs Monica May and Lisa Bachman.

The focus and discussion was to seek solutions to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community.

Special message from Mayor Jerry L. Demings
Engage local leaders for community solutions
Community policing initiatives & programs

Guest Speakers

Val Demings — U.S. Representative, Florida's 10th Congressional District
Kamia Brown, State Representative, Florida House of Representative District 45
John Mina — Sheriff, Orange County Sheriff's Office
Aramis Ayala — State Attorney, Ninth Judicial Circuit
Orlando Rolón — Police Chief, Orlando Police Department
Beverlye Colson Neal — Chapter President, Orange County NAACP
Dawn Curtis — President, Orange County Democratic Black Caucus
Miles Mulrain Jr. — Founder, Let Your Voice Be Heard, Incorporated
Yanidsi Velez — Florida State Director, Hispanic Federation
Roderick Zak — Pastor, Rejoice in the Lord Ministries

Ver

Watch: On YouTube or On Vimeo

Questions and Comments

View the original list of questions and comments posed by the participants during our Town Hall session on June 5, 2020. An updated list of the questions and answers will be posted to this webpage in the upcoming days once completed.

Questions and Comments (PDF)

After reviewing the citizen inquiries posed during our "Candid Conversation" Virtual Town Hall, it was determined that many of the answers could be found on the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the Orlando Police Department updated websites. There is a lot of resourceful information on each site. We are encouraging residents to visit and review each of them thoroughly for direct responses to their inquiries.

Juneteenth Events 2020

Rally for Justice and a Commitment to a Movement: Not Just a Moment

June 19, 2020 | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Bill Breeze Park, 125 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ocoee, FL 34761
Registrarse

Juneteenth Freedom Day March

June 19, 2020 | 3 p.m. (March begins at 4 p.m.)
Lake Eola Park, 101 N. Rosalind Ave. Orlando, FL 32801
Ver detalles

African Americans and the Vote: The Journey to this Moment

June 19, 2020 | 7 - 8:30 p.m.
A commemorative Juneteenth virtual panel discussion on the origins of the right to vote for African Americans and where we are today.
Ver detalles

Imagining Freedom: Black Community and Creating Place

June 19, 2020 | 7 p.m.
As part of a live and interactive audience, you can join for conversations about African Americans and their place in America.
Registrarse

Candid Conversations with Our Community: The Generation Z Edition

Virtual Town Hall Meeting

In 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King authored "Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?" It's a question that is still relevant today. With the recent social unrest over the death of George Floyd, Mayor Demings' Orange County MLK Initiative invited you to participate in the "What's Next?" via the "Candid Conversations with Our Community: The Generation Z Edition" Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. This was a call to action for teens and young adults to voice concerns on race relations, diversity and inclusion, and was hosted by youth leaders within the community.

Special message from Mayor Jerry L. Demings
Engaging Our Youth & Young Adults for Community Solutions
“Answering the Call: What’s Next?”

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Watch the event on Youtube or on Vimeo.

Septiembre 2020

expiración	Evento
Sept. 19, 2020 9:30 a.m.	Business Leadership Summit
Sept. 15, 2020 6:30 p.m.	PBS American Portrait Virtual Screening – A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage
Sept. 21, 2020 - Oct. 4, 2020	Global Peace Film Festival

Global Peace Film Festival

Sept. 21, 2020 - October 4, 2020
The 18th annual Global Peace Film Festival will highlight films with themes related to civil rights, environmental justice, ethics, human rights, immigration, LGBTQ+, music, social justice, voting, personal wellness and wildlife. Beginning on the International Day of Peace, Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, a selection of more than 20 feature films and shorts will be available for screening at select theaters and online.
PeaceFilmFest.org

Reuniones

Membership will meet on a monthly basis throughout the calendar year. The meetings will increase during the fall and winter months (September to November) in preparation of the Annual King Holiday. All Committee meetings will be held at the Orange County Administration Building located at 201 South Rosalind Avenue, Orlando.

Meeting Calendar

Meetings for 2022

Please note: All 2022 meetings are virtual until further notice.

Fecha y hora	Recursos
Thur., January 13 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Thur., February 10
Thur., March 10
Thur., April 14
Thur., May 12
Thur., June 9
Thur., July 14
Thur., August 11
Thur., September 8
Thur., October 13
Thur., November 10
Thur., December 8

Meetings for 2021

Fecha y hora	Recursos
Wed., January 6 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Wed., February 3 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Thur., March 11 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Thur., April 8 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Thur., May 13 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Tue., June 15 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Thur., July 8 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Thur., August 12 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Thur., September 9 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Thur., October 14 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Thur., November 11 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Wed., December 1 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Meetings for 2020

Fecha y hora	Recursos
19 de nov. de 2019	Video
16 de dic. de 2019	Video
Jan. 7, 2020,	Video
4 de feb. de 2020	Video
6 de marzo del 2020	Video