Theme: “Steadfast, Unmovable Against All Odds”
January 9 – 19, 2026
41st Annual Hall of Fame GALA
Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Location: University of Florida Hilton Hotel
Join us for an evening of celebration and inspiration at the 41st Annual Hall of Fame GALA!
Schedule of Events:
– Reception: 5:30 p.m.
– Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Social immediately following dinner.
Celebrate the legacy of individuals making a difference in our community.
Hall of Fame Gala – Photos
Join us as we remember the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King. The event will be in person and streamed live on our Website, Facebook Page, and YouTube. During this program, members of the Gainesville Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. will take us through the life stages of two remarkable individuals.
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Day Springs Missionary Baptist Church, 1945 NE 8th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida
Contact: Ann Scott @ 352-376-2442
Event is Free
Event Sponsors: C. Ann Scott and MLK Commission of Florida, Inc.
Remembering Martin & Coretta – Photos
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.905712015350313&type=3
Join us as we discuss, this year’s theme “Steadfast, Unmovable Against All Odds,” with former alumni and current Edna M. Hart Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award Recipients.
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Day Springs Missionary Baptist Church, 1945 NE 8th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida
Contact: Rodney Long (352) 376-2442
Event Sponsors: Dr. Jacquelyn Hart and the MLK Commission of Florida, Inc.
*Event is Free and will be streamed live here, Facebook, and YouTube
Town Hall Symposium – Facebook Photos
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.905728555348659&type=3
Date: Friday, January 16, 2026: Join us as we celebrate the late Honorable Stephan P. Mickle, first African American Lawyer, County Court, Circuit Court, Court of Appeals and District Court Judge.
Featuring: D.R. Band
Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Multipurpose Center, 1028 NE 14th Street, Gainesville, Florida
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Rodney Long (352) 376-2442
Event Sponsors: City of Gainesville, The Stephan P. Mickle Foundation, Inc., Avera & Smith Attorneys at Law and Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission of Florida, Inc.
Stephan P. Mickle Jazz Concert – Photos
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.905759812012200&type=3
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
The MLK Commission and Romona Jackson presents the play: “Me, Myself & God.”
Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Multipurpose Center, 1028 NE 14th Street, Gainesville, Florida.
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Admission is free by contacting: The MLK Commission Office 352-376-2442 (tickets are limited on a first come first served basis)
Event Contact Person: Romona Jackson @ 904-993-5649 or Diyonne McGraw @ 352-246-8071
Event Sponsors: Successful Living and MLKCOFL
Me, Myself & God – Photos
https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=MLKCOF&set=a.905798002008381
MEMORIAL GARDENS REDESIGN RIBBON CUTTING & HALL OF FAME ENSHRINEMENT
Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
Location: MLK Memorial Gardens Downtown Gainesville
Keynote speaker: Honorable Diyonne McGraw, 2026 Hall of Fame Award Recipient. Presentation to Essence Davis, IB Senior, Eastside High School, 2026 Edna M. Hart Keeper of The Scholarship Award Recipient.
Time: 11:00 am
Event Sponsors: Office of Equity and Inclusion City of Gainesville, City of Gainesville, and MLK Commission of Florida, Inc.
Hall of Fame Enshrinement – Photos
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.906431838611664&type=3
NATIONAL HOLIDAY PARADE AND PARADE REGISTRATION
Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
Parade Route: East University Avenue to Waldo Road, North to Martin Luther King, Jr., Multipurpose Center, 1028 NE 14th Street, Gainesville, Florida. If you would like to participate with a float, live marching band, dance group or vehicle, motorcycle groups, or vehicles, To register, visit our website at: https://www.martinlutherkingcommission.org/parade-registration/
Time: 12:00 Noon
Contact: Mike Powell (352) 256- 2360
Event Sponsors: Cox Communications, City of Gainesville and Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Florida, Inc.
Free Shuttle Bus Service Provided by City of Gainesville from Citizens Field to Downtown Gainesville
Gainesville community honors Martin Luther King Jr. with 42nd annual parade – https://www.alligator.org/article/2026/01/gainesville-martin-luther-king-jr-parade
National Holiday Parade – Photos
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.906439325277582&type=3
NATIONAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Multi-Purpose Center, 1028 NE 14th Street – North Waldo Road, Gainesville, Florida
Featuring: Prime Time
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Free Admission.
Contact: Mike Powell (352) 256-2360 or Janice Nix Crews @ 352-214-1044
Event Sponsors: City of Gainesville and Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Florida, Inc.
Free Shuttle Bus Service Provided by City of Gainesville from Citizen’s Field to Downtown Gainesville
National Holiday Celebration – Photos
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.906446538610194&type=3
Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast Registration
Theme: “Steadfast, Unmovable Against All Odds.”
Featuring The 2025 Drum Major For Justice Award Recipient: Bishop Chris Stokes, New Beginning Christian Worship Center.
Friday, April 3, 2026, 8:00 a.m.
Best Western Getaway Grand Hotel & Conference Center
4200 NW 97th Blvd.,
Gainesville, FL 32606
$50.00 Advance Contribution
Prayer Breakfast – Photos
Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast Registration
