34th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Celebration
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission, the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, Indiana Black Expo, Inc., and AFSCME Local #725 will host the 34th Annual State of Indiana Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration. There will be a wreath placing ceremony on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Indiana War Memorial: Soldiers and Sailors Monument including a commemorative light show. The following day, there will be a Celebration including an award ceremony on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 12:00 PM at the Indiana Statehouse. The celebration will be live-streamed to the public.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929; in 1983, thanks to efforts from late Indiana Congresswoman Katie Beatrice Hall, his birthday was approved as a federal holiday which we celebrate on the third Monday of January each year. The Annual State of Indiana Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration honors Dr. King’s life, commitment to service, and pursuit of equal rights for all.
This year’s program is centered around Dr. King’s quote "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools" from his speech to an audience in Oberlin, Ohio in 1964. During this speech, King speaks to the collective responsibility that we have to foster harmony, understanding, and humanity in our communities.
Can't join us in person? Watch the program LIVE here.
State of Indiana Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration Awards
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission, the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, Indiana Black Expo, Inc., and AFSCME #725 will be awarding four Hoosiers who have followed in the footsteps of Dr. King at the 34th Annual State of Indiana Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration.
Sam Jones Award - Sam Jones served as the first President of the Indianapolis Urban League and helped to establish the organization’s positive influence within the community. He served in the role from 1966 through 2002. During his long tenure, he created countless opportunities for African Americans and the greater Indianapolis community in the areas of housing, employment, healthcare, and education. Sam Jones was instrumental in continuing the legacy of Dr. King, especially within Indiana.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” Sam Jones guided his community through many challenging times, and placed on strong emphasis on accountability, peace, and understanding.
The Sam Jones Award is given to an individual who has been a pillar within their community and has made it their life’s work to upholding justice for all. This individual is working to build systems where justice can thrive, and all people have access to equitable opportunities. They are working to build understanding across communities and holding systems accountable to working for all people.
Rev. Charles Williams Award - Rev. Charles Williams returned to his hometown of Indianapolis, after serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He served as Special Assistant to then Mayor William H. Hudnut III. In this role, Williams created programs to benefit the African American community, including introducing small minority-owned business owners to leaders in major corporations, creating the first city-wide Black History month celebration, and the promotion of the NAACP convention. He went on to become the first paid director of Indiana Black Expo, Inc. (IBE). He established new programs that promoted education, opportunity, and inclusion among people of all races. His leadership turned IBE from a small grassroots focused organization into an internationally recognized success.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve … You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.” Rev. Charles Williams was called to strengthen his community and did so through his deep love and commitment to serving others.
The Rev. Charles Williams Award is given to an individual who has committed their life to the service of others. They have created new opportunities to build up their community and established programs that afford others new opportunities. This individual’s service is generated by love and not through selfish desires.
Humanitarian Award - In Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech he said, "I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits." Dr. King brought attention to the harsh realities of poverty and economic inequality in America, through his work of advocating for low-income individuals to earn their right to fair housing, good jobs, high wages, a decent life, respect, and dignity.
The Humanitarian Award is presented to an individual who has continued the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the areas of economic development, poverty reductions and social justice. Their work helps to alleviate the hardships of poverty, economic disenfranchisement, and injustice while ensuring all people are given the respect and dignity they deserve.
Coleman-Staples Award - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Whatever career you may choose for yourself — doctor, lawyer, teacher — let me propose an avocation to be pursued along with it. Become a dedicated fighter for civil rights. Make it a central part of your life … it will make you a better doctor, a better lawyer, a better teacher. It will enrich your spirit as nothing else possibly can. It will give you that rare sense of nobility that can only spring from love and selflessly helping your fellow man. Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country and a finer world to live in.”
The Coleman-Staples Award is inspired by this quote and is presented to an individual who has committed themselves to being “a dedicated fighter for civil rights.” No matter their career, they are continuing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They have picked up the torch and continued Dr. King’s work. Their efforts are focused on ensuring all people are afforded their civil rights and have equal access to opportunities. Like Dr. King, this individual ensures both personally and professionally that the work they do is centered around humanity.
Nominations for the 2025 Awards will be open from Friday, November 1st, to Monday, December 2nd.