Tacoma's annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is set to take place on January 19 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, an event that promises a blend of reflection, service, and action in honor of Dr. King's enduring legacy. Starting at 11 a.m., attendees will be greeted by a Community Outreach Fair, leading into the main program at 1 p.m., as announced by the City of Tacoma’s Events and Recognition Committee (CERC). For those who can't make it, TV Tacoma will broadcast the celebration, ensuring the day's activities reach a broader audience.
Local humanitarian Kwabi Amoah-Forson will be facilitating as the emcee, with Mayor Anders Ibsen penciled in to deliver opening remarks. Former Mayor of Tacoma Victoria Woodards, will engage the attendees with the keynote address. The celebration will see diverse performances, from the Tracie L. Davis Celebration Choir to the Stadium High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), enhancing the inclusive nature of the event. The CERC will applaud community service through the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Awards, with special recognitions awarded to Uncle Boy Chun Fook and F. Jerome "JD" Davis for their contributions to the community, as reported by the City of Tacoma.
The theme for 2026, Community in Service: A Path to Action, aims to celebrate and inspire collective efforts in serving and uplifting others. CERC Sub-Committee Chair Cydney Stephens shared, "This year’s theme reminds us that every act of care, large or small, moves Tacoma forward. Together, we can continue building that connected and compassionate community, turning Dr. King’s legacy into daily action," as stated by the City of Tacoma. Embodying this spirit, attendees can support Operation Warm Soles, an initiative led by Amoah-Forson, which donates warm socks, shoes, and blankets to the unhoused in Tacoma and Seattle.
Accessibility, a key facet of the event, will be fostered through live closed captioning of the proceedings in multiple languages, including Spanish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and others, as well as the presence of an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. The CERC, an advisory and action committee for the City of Tacoma, is entrusted with the selection of honorees and manages the planning of this marquee event that stands open to the public, with free parking available for attendees. For further details about the event and accessibility information, interested parties can visit the City of Tacoma website.
