The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville & Buncombe County is excited to announce its 45th annual celebration honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s event, themed “Celebrating 45 Years of Resilience – Marching Toward the Dream,” will feature a series of significant activities, including the traditional Candlelight Service, the annual Peace March & Rally, and the much-anticipated Prayer Breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Resort.
Dr. Oralene Simmons, Founder and Board President, reflected on the importance of this anniversary, stating, “For 45 years our community has gathered in love and purpose to honor Dr. King’s legacy and renew our commitment to his dream. This anniversary is more than a celebration of resilience; it is a reminder that we are the beloved community he imagined and that together we carry the work forward.” This sentiment speaks to the enduring influence of Dr. King and the ongoing commitment to the values he championed.
The Prayer Breakfast will feature keynote speaker Mike Kelly, a respected community leader from South Carolina. As founder of Kelly Financial Planning and Managing Partner of Right Path Enterprises, Kelly is known for guiding individuals to lead lives of purpose and integrity. His extensive involvement with community service organizations reflects Dr. King’s vision of justice and collective responsibility.
Another highlight will be the Candlelight Service, featuring speaker Mary D. Williams, a celebrated gospel singer, historian, and educator. Raised in Garner, North Carolina, Williams has dedicated her life to preserving the spiritual traditions of the African American South. By weaving together spirituals, freedom songs, and Civil Rights anthems, she honors generations of resilience and invites the audience to share in a restorative experience of history, healing, and hope – embodying the essence of Dr. King’s legacy.
The event schedule is as follows:
– Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Prayer Breakfast
– Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
– Doors Open: 7:30 AM
– Program Starts: 8:30 AM
– Location: Crowne Plaza Resort, 1 Resort Dr., Asheville
– Candlelight Service
– Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026
– Time: 5:30 PM
– Location: Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street, Asheville
– Peace March & Rally
– Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
– Time: 11:30 AM at St. James A.M.E. Church, 44 Hildebrand St.
– March Begins: 12:30 PM
– Route: From St. James A.M.E. Church to Pack Square Park
– Rally: 12:50 PM–1:20 PM in Pack Square Park
Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to support a community food drive.
The MLK Association expresses its gratitude to its sponsors, including Platinum Sponsors such as the Biltmore Company, Dogwood Health Trust, and the North Carolina Martin Luther King Commission. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) is recognized as this year’s Gold Sponsor.
Additionally, the MLK Association focuses on year-round initiatives that honor Dr. King’s legacy, such as its Community Outreach Providing Empowerment (COPE) Initiative. In April, the Association will also recognize outstanding middle and high school students who demonstrate leadership, intellect, and community engagement, with scholarships awarded to support their college education.
For more information, please contact Dr. Oralene Simmons at 828-777-0284 or through email at [email protected]. This annual celebration serves as a powerful reminder of the collective impact of the community in continuing the work that Dr. King so passionately advocated.