MLK Holiday DC 40th Annual Virtual Parade

TheMLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Paradeis one of the nation’s longest-running tributes to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., bringing thousands of residents, leaders, organizations, and visitors together each January. Founded in 1977 by Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Councilmember Wilhelmina J. Rolark, and activist Petey Greene, the event was among the first in the country to honor Dr. King with a parade, predating the federal holiday by six years. Today, it features the annual Peace Walk, Parade, Prayer Breakfast, Health & Wellness Fair, Student Essay Contest, and other community-driven activities. Together, these events uphold Dr. King’s legacy and inspire collective action for peace, service, and social progress.

MLK Holiday DC

We look forward to the 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade - another festive experience.

Amid a global pandemic, the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Virtual Parade will take place virtually on Monday, January 18, 2021, at 12 noon via <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Oo81bMvmwkwv-bfrjRh2Q" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">YouTube</a> - Be sure to follow us on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Oo81bMvmwkwv-bfrjRh2Q" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mlkholidaydc115" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/mlkholidaydc115" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mlkholidaydc115/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a> @mlkholidaydc115Also viewable on <a href="http://mlkholidaydc.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">mlkholidaydc.org</a>; and the <a href="https://www.washingtoninformer.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Washington Informer website.</a>Participants are committed to continuing this strong tradition started more than 35 years ago by radio talk show host and community activist Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene, Washington Informer publisher and philanthropist Dr. Calvin W. Rolark and former Ward 8 Councilmember Wilhelmina J. Rolark when they organized the annual Martin Luther King Day Parade (on one of the nation’s first streets named in honor of the civil rights leader, following his death in 1968). The parade began in 1979, six years before Kings’s birthday became a federal holiday. We continue the tradition and celebration that the Rolarks and Petey Greene started, as we honor Dr. King and keep his message alive.Across the nation and the world, Dr. King’s life and legacy is commemorated by a day of service and promoted as A Day On and Not a Day Off.  The Martin Luther King Jr. Parade symbolizes the need to continue Dr. King’s work and reinforces the idea reflected in his words, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. Those who believe in Dr. King’s message are considered members of the Coalition for Peace and are invited to join the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Parade every year.

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