23^rd Annual MLK Day Rally & March

Monday, January 19, 2026 at 12 Noon

St. Matthew’s & St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church

8850 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI

March at 2pm

Community Meal, Spoken word and video messages after the march

Zoom link for viewing rally live

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82231671792?pwd=Xq9q34Q8MV7bCyhPatFlL2w1iSH4d7.1

Run of Show

12:00pm
Rally

Emcees – Abayomi Azikiwe & Aurora Harris

Land Acknowledgement – Aurora Harris
Libation – Shushanna Shakur
Welcome – The Rev. Anthony Estes, St. Matthew’s and St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church
Lift Every Voice and Sing – Zania Alaké-vocalist, Alan Dennard-trumpet, Butter Hawkins-drums, Bill Meyer electric keyboard
LaShelle’s School of Dance
Stand up – Jenna Edwards, singer with Alan Dennard-trumpet, Terrance Neal-drums, Bill Meyer electric keyboard
LaShelle’s School of Dance
SEIU Health Care Michigan
Frank Hammer, former president, UAW Local 909 – Colombian workers struggle against GM update
Alexander Webb, Anishinaabe Dream Song
Steve Rimmer, Detroit Tenants Union
Huwaida Araf, Global Sumud Flotilla
Kenneth Russell, 482Forward, Spoken word
Peace and Justice Offering, music by Bill Meyer
Nafisa Tazrin & Tasfia Ononena, 482Forward, MIStudentsDream, Immigration Justice
J.C. ~ A Creative
The People’s Spirit of Detroit Award: Marguerite Maddox, Disability Rights Fighter
People’s Spirit of Detroit Awards – Long Distance Runners
Presented by Malik Yakini
Daii Dreamiin, U.S. General Strike Detroit, Spoken word
Mark Fancher, National Conference of Black Lawyers
Closing of Rally – Happy Birthday MLK by the jazz quartet

2:00pm
March

2:45pm
Community Meal and Fellowship in Fellowship Hall, next to the sanctuary

Video messages
Spoken word
Food and beverages
Community discussion
Cleanup – Volunteers needed