The King Coalition was established in the fall of 1985 as a community group to plan the official City of Madison and Dane County observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The planning of this holiday celebration takes on special significance as people from all walks of life gather in the spirit of true brotherhood and sisterhood to commemorate the life and accomplishments of this renowned leader of the Civil Rights movement.

The 40th annual Madison-Dane County MLK Day Observance will take place on Monday, January 20 at the Overture Center for the Arts in downtown Madison. There will be a freedom song sing-in from 5:15-5:45 PM and the program will run from 6:00-7:30 PM. The King Coalition is excited welcome Bishop Vashti McKenzie as the keynote speaker. Bishop McKenzie was the first female elected to office in history of the AME Church. She is currently President/General Secretary of the National Council of Churches where she provides executive leadership to 37 denominations, 100,000 churches and 30 million people. She was appointed by President Obama to the White House Commission of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and named one of the 50 Most Powerful Religious Leaders in the World by Huffington Post.

Characterized as “an electrifying preacher,” Bishop McKenzie preaches and teaches globally on women, leadership, and other social justice issues

The annual observance also includes presentation of the MLK Humanitarian Award by City of Madison Mayor, Satya Rhodes-Conway and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. Noted musician Leotha Stanley will again lead the MLK Community Choir. 

Other King Coalition Events include: The MLK Free Community Dinner on Friday, January 17, MLK Ecumenical Service on Sunday, January 19 and the MLK Youth Call to Service on Monday, January 20. 

Your donation will help to fund this and other MLK Day observances. We will also be directing half of all proceeds to critical community service and racial justice needs by donating several organizations.