KING DAY 2026
NAAM’s annual King Day celebration in 2026 brought community members of all ages together to honor the life, legacy, and enduring call to action of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With community conversations, non-profit resource expo, arts & crafts, interactive story time, and new exhibits by two local black artists, this day was rooted in reflection, learning, and shared experience.
The day served as a space to pause, remember, and recommit to the values Dr. King championed. With smiles connected through shared support, a welcoming environment was created for all. Elements of joy, happiness, and engagement reinforced the vibrant energy throughout the day.
Guided by our 2026 theme Forward Together with Courage as Our Compass, the celebration brought in over 2,000 individuals. This level of attendance affirmed a shared commitment to the importance of black history and historical truths. We are grateful to everyone who demonstrated collective courage in celebrating Dr. King’s remembrance and ideals - rooted in justice, dignity, and care for one another.
A CALL FOR COURAGE AND COMMUNITY
Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?, King Day 2026 centered on an enduring and deeply relevant question: how do we choose to live together in times of challenge, division, and change. This guiding inquiry shaped a day rooted in dialogue, reflection, and collective responsibility, inviting our community to look honestly at the present while imagining a more just and connected future.
Through a series of community conversations, we were honored to welcome Mayor Katie Wilson, Deputy Mayor Bryant Surratt, and Councilmember Dionne Foster, Visual Artist Rodney H. King, and Midori Hobbs from the Rave Foundation. Together, they explored social issues facing our communities today, reflected on why Dr. King’s vision and wisdom continue to matter, and considered what it means to move forward together with intention and care. Their presence added depth and perspective to the conversations held throughout the day.
Grounded in both dialogue and reflection, participants were encouraged to consider how courage shows up not only in defining moments of history, but in the everyday choices we make. From how we listen to one another, to how we show up for our neighbors, King Day 2026 invited each person to reflect on their role in strengthening connection, fostering belonging, and building community rooted in truth, empathy, and collective action.
FEATURED EXHIBITS ON KING DAY
During King Day 2026, the Northwest African American Museum debuted new exhibitions by Rodney H. King and Maya Milton, adding creative depth and energy to the day’s experience. The exhibitions offer visitors meaningful opportunities for reflection, connection, and exploration through contemporary art.
Rodney H. King’s COM-MUNE U-NI-TY celebrates community and shared experience through layered visual storytelling, inviting conversation around culture, place, and identity. Maya Milton’s The Cosmos Does Not Ask Permission embraces imagination and possibility, using bold color and form to encourage curiosity and personal reflection.
Together, these exhibitions enriched King Day by positioning art as an open and engaging space within the museum, reinforcing NAAM’s commitment to showcasing contemporary Black creativity and fostering community connection.
A DAY OF COMMUNITY ENGAGMENT
King Day 2026 at the Northwest African American Museum was rooted in connection, participation, and shared learning. Throughout the day, visitors engaged with a wide range of experiences designed to bring people together across generations while honoring the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s work.
Community conversations with local leaders created space for dialogue around civic responsibility, leadership, and positive change. Artists and exhibitions added creative energy to the museum, while families and youth participated in hands-on arts and crafts activities and Interactive Story Time, creating welcoming entry points for learning, expression, and imagination.
Together, these experiences transformed the museum into a living space of engagement. They left with ideas, resources, and tools to continue amplifying Dr. King’s vision through service, creativity, and collective action.
MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER
King Day is always a reminder that Dr. King’s vision is alive today. It lives through shared purpose, collective action, and ongoing community engagement. We are deeply grateful to our partners, volunteers, staff, artists, speakers, and every attendee who helped bring King Day 2026 to life.
As we grapple with the harmful actions occurring across our nation, we lean on the wisdom Dr. King shared six decades ago - through shared responsibility to build communities grounded in dignity, justice, and love for all, a better future can be realized.
Thank you for walking alongside us. We invite you to stay connected, join us for upcoming events, and continue moving forward together with courage as our compass.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTICIPATING PARTNERS
“Power properly understood is nothing but the ability to achieve purpose.”
~ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? (1967)
Interactive Story Time
Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”, written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by Bryan Collier. The children's book brings to life the story of one of the most influential civil rights leaders of all time, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Knowledge is Power: Children's Book Giveaway
NAAM has curated books that teach all children the rich history of Black Americans.
On King Day, we will give away hundreds of new books to local youth. We will continue to distribute free books each month throughout the region. In honor of Dr. King, please consider a monetary donation to the Book Fund and help advance racial equity.
