By Delarita Ford
Mail | X: @AzNewsmedia

Municipalities throughout the Valley commemorate the life of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this month to honor the peace advocate, who stood for unity and equality, by having month-long celebrations and activities revolving around a day of service and cultural awareness. 

Born Jan. 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, his birthday is a federally-recognized holiday designated for the third Monday in January every year. While many people have the day off from work and school that day, communities throughout the country arrange programs and events before and after the holiday to encourage volunteering, helping those less fortunate, and working together.

Scheduled MLK events are below:

• Scottsdale’s 30th Annual MLK Jr. Celebration Dinner program, hosted by the Community Celebrating Diversity, is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at The Fieldhouse at Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale. Featured guest speaker is Dr. Battinto L. Batts Jr., educator/award-winning journalist, and the 2024 Diversity Champions, Kris Cano and Dr. Velma Trayham will be honored. See: ccdarizona.org.
• Surprise's Eighth Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Celebration & Service is 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 13 at The Vista Center for the Arts, 15660 N. Parkview Pl., Surprise. Registration begins at 8 a.m. for the 8:30-10:30 a.m. Day of Service projects. See: surpriseaz.gov/MLK.
•  Glendale's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 13, at Sahuaro Ranch Park, 9802 N 59th Ave. HandsOn Greater Phoenix and St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance partnered to welcome more than 200 volunteers to help glean fruit to donate vitamin-rich citrus to families in need. This project also helps beautify a Glendale landmark. Register at: form.jotform.com/203076731392151. Contact Stephanie Fenderson-Gonzales at 623-930-3582 or sfenderson-gonzales@glendaleaz.com.
•  Chandler's 29th Annual Chandler Multicultural Festival, sponsored by Intel Arizona, is 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13 at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park: Stage Plaza, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave. The free event has cultural performances, children’s activities, vendors, and food. Look for the Intel Equity in STEAM.
•  38th Annual Living the Dream Awards Breakfast is 8 a.m. Jan. 14 at the Phoenix Convention Center, South Building and an Interfaith Commemorative Program is 8:15-8:45 a.m. on Jan. 15
•  Town of Paradise Valley Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Jan. 15 at Town Hall, 6401 E. Lincoln Drive. Sponsored by the Baha’is of Paradise Valley, the program is followed by lunch.
•  Commemorative March will be held at East Lake Park starting with an assembly at 8:45 a.m. and the march begins at 9 a.m., followed by a festival at Margaret T. Hance Park 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 15; Youth Rally 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 20 at Phoenix College. See: azmlk.org for information.
•  Commemorative Candlelight Service will be held 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Phoenix
• Third Annual San Tan Valley MLK Celebration is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 15 at Veterans Center, 5764 E. Hunt Highway in San Tan Valley. Speakers are Neal Carter, Arizona State Rep. Theresa Palma, Pan De Vida Laura Craft, Queen Creek Juneteenth founder; and closing remarks by Rev. John Gakanga;  House of Transformation is sponsoring the free, family-friendly event with games, prizes, vendors and food trucks. Student essay contest winners will be awarding their prizes at the event.
• Mesa MLK Parade and  Festival is 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the intersection of MLK Way and the Honorary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street (Center Street), turning east on First Street and ending on Hibbert. After the parade with marching bands, dance troupes, the Buffalo Soldiers, schools, organizations, community leaders, neighboring towns, elected officials and more, the community festival is noon-4 p.m. at The Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E Main Street.
• 33nd Annual MLK March on Arizona State University’s West campus is Wednesday, Jan. 17. The in-person event includes educational presentations about the history of the Civil Rights Movement, a musical program and a rendition of the "I Have a Dream" speech by ASU faculty member Charles St. Clair, plus student breakout sessions with ASU faculty/staff discussing in-depth content highlighting eight cities across the country. Email MLKWest@asu.edu for more information. 
• Tempe MLK Program presented by the African American Advisory Committee, the Tempe History Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave., will host community chats, featuring discussions, film clips, and more at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, Jan. 23. The event will also be streamed live on facebook.com/tempehistorymuseum. Call 480-350-5100 for more information

Delarita Ford
Reporter | Surprise

dford@iniusa.org

Starting my media career in 1994, rumor had it that newspapers would not exist much longer. Years later, the newspaper is still around and so is my passion for storytelling and capturing life’s moments for the community.