How KC celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.

🏃‍♂️ MLK Freedom Run

The annual run is held in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and focuses on participation over competition.

• Distances include a 5K, 10K and half marathon, with all paces welcome.
• 7:30am Saturday at Mill Creek Park, 47th Street and Mill Creek Parkway.
• Note: Runner registration is closed, but walkers and supporters are welcome.

🧹 MLK Day of Service

Volunteers can drop in anytime for hands-on service projects, including making sleeping mats, preparing sandwiches, writing cards and helping local nonprofits.

• 9am–noon Monday at the Cleaver Family YMCA.

🌿 MLK Jr. Nature Walk and Speaker Program

The annual event centers on environmental justice, beginning with a keynote from Dina Newman, director of UMKC's Center for Neighborhoods, followed by a walk along Brush Creek.

• 9:30am–noon Monday at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center.

🎶 KCK MLK Celebration

The program will have guest speaker Claybon Lea Jr., senior pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church, along with performances by the Kansas City Kansas Community Orchestra and other entertainment.

• 10:30am Monday at Memorial Hall, Kansas City, Kansas.

🏫 MNU MLK Community Celebration

MidAmerica Nazarene University's 20th annual celebration will feature the Rev. Darryl Answer as both keynote speaker and Living Legacy Award recipient.

• 9:30am Tuesday at the College Church of the Nazarene, Olathe.

🚗 Fort Scott MLK Holiday Celebration

If you're up for a drive, Fort Scott, Kansas, is hosting a full day of events honoring Dr. King, from a food drive to a PBS documentary screening and a lunch-and-learn on the Dockum Drugstore sit-in.

• 9am–2pm Monday at Fort Scott Community College.