MLK Commemorative Breakfast - Beloit, WI

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Theme: "History Has Its Eyes On You: Write the Vision. Live the Legacy."

We invite you to join us for a morning of reflection and celebration as we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Enjoy a delicious breakfast while listening to inspiring speeches and performances that pay tribute to his enduring impact. This in-person event promises to be a meaningful experience for all who attend. Let's come together to commemorate the life and work of this influential leader. We seek to strengthen, encourage, empower, and uplift all who join us.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW

Individual Tickets $30 | Purple Sponsor Tickets $300 (Table seats 8; Includes sponsor recognition)

Proceeds will support the Rising Knights HBCU College Tour and Virtuoso's Mind Inc.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Willow Newell

Hailing from Racine, Wisconsin, Willow Newell made history this past June by becoming the first Black woman crowned Miss Wisconsin. A recent graduate of Carthage College with a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theater, Willow is thrilled to embark on a statewide journey to connect with Wisconsinites and champion her Community Service Initiative: The ART of Belonging.

The ART of Belonging aims to educate all, young and old, on the importance of providing inclusive opportunities in accessing the arts. Willow hopes to do so through community connections, resources, and elevating stories of how the arts have impacted the lives of so many. Including art in a person’s life can help foster soft skills such as creativity, communication, and collaboration, along with gaining confidence and providing opportunities for success. The ART of Belonging also showcases how involvement in the arts has helped people find community and a sense of purpose. Willow has created a series where she interviews individuals in her community about how the arts has impacted their lives.

At the 2025 Miss Wisconsin Competition, Willow captivated the judges by earning two preliminary awards: first for her powerful vocal performance of “And I Am Telling You” from the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, and secondly for her elegant evening gown presentation. Willow also won many additional scholarships throughout the week.

Willow is no stranger to the stage. She participated in the Racine Theater Guild and played the lead role of Dion in Hair in 2022 at Carthage College. Willow hopes to continue her musical passions by pursuing acting and writing, and to find a career in directing award-winning theater and film.

Willow Newell’s journey is a living reminder that history doesn’t wait for a certain age, a certain zip code, or a certain “perfect time.” History is made the moment someone decides to walk boldly in their purpose. Willow became the first Black woman crowned Miss Wisconsin — not just as a personal milestone, but as proof that when you live your dream out loud, you open doors for others to follow. Through her initiative, The ART of Belonging, she is writing a clear, actionable vision: that inclusion in the arts is not a luxury but a pathway to confidence, community, and opportunity. Her life echoes Dr. King’s call — that we are not only inheritors of a legacy, but authors of the next chapter. History has its eyes on us, and Willow shows what it looks like to rise, serve, and live in a way that leaves footprints for generations.

SPONSORSHIPS

For more information on Sponsorships, contact us at rhendrix@virtuososmind.org | (608) 312-3749

DRESS CODE

Business Professional Attire

Note: The event is family-friendly