The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day City-County Observance

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courtesy King Coalition of Madison & Dane County

Terrence Roberts at a lectern.

Terrence Roberts, who helped integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957, is the guest speaker at the 2024 King Coalition of Madison & Dane County Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance.

“One Day” is the theme for the official state of Wisconsin ceremony (noon, Jan. 15, Capitol Rotunda) honoring the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., featuring guest speaker the Rev. Dr. Marcus Allen, the Chicago Mass Choir, and Latino Arts Mariachi Juvenil. The “Tribute and Ceremony,” produced and directed by Dr. Jonathan Øverby, will also be broadcast live on Wisconsin Public Radio and at 8 p.m. on PBS Wisconsin. The King Coalition of Madison & Dane County Observance begins with a freedom song sing-in at 5 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Overture Center. The program begins at 6 p.m., featuring guest speaker Terrence Roberts, one of the “Little Rock Nine” who helped integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957. The evening also includes the presentation of the Madison-Dane County MLK Humanitarian Awards and music by the MLK Community Choir; WORT-FM will broadcast live and it will also air later on Madison CityChannel. For information on related events (starting with the return of the community dinner on Jan. 12), visit mlkingcoalition.org.

media release: 5:00pm – 8:00pm, Overture Center Capitol Theater: 39th Annual City of Madison & Dane County MLK Day Observance, hosted By King Coalition. Welcoming Terrence Roberts, one of the Little Rock Nine. Presentation of MLK Humanitarian Award by mayor & county executive (more below). MLK Community Choir.

Community members are invited to join us for the 39th annual City of Madison & Dane County MLK Day Observance. The event will be held at the Overture Center for the Arts in the Capital Theater. 

The program will feature the MLK Community Choir, presentation of the 2024 MLK Humanitarian Awards by Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, a Call to Action, and more.

Keynote: The highlight of the event will be a keynote speech from Terrence Roberts who made history as one of the “Little Rock Nine.” Mr. Roberts attended segregated elementary, junior, and high schools until 1957, when he volunteered to help desegregate Little Rock Central High School. His first attempt to enter the school was stopped by the Arkansas National Guard and an angry mob of 400 people. A second attempt several weeks later was met with a mob that had grown to 1,000 people. The next day, President Dwight Eisenhower federalized the Arkansas National Guard and dispatched members of the 101st Airborne Division to accompany the students to school for the remainder of the year.

Dr. Roberts went on to a successful academic career that included earning a PhD. He and the other Little Rock Nine were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President Bill Clinton. His story has been told in books and movies and he continues to tour the country urging that we learn from this ugly past and commit to working towards continued progress.

MLK Community Choir: The MLK Community Choir has been an integral part of the official Madison & Dane County King Holiday Observance for many years. The Choir is unique in bringing together community members regardless of musical background for the purpose of performing at this event. It is directed by acclaimed musicians Leotha and Tamera Stanley. No audition is required. To join the Choir community members simply need to attend two rehearsals: Tuesday, January 9 at 7:00 PM | Saturday, January 13, 11:00 AM. Both rehearsals are at Mt. Zion Baptist Church | 2019 Fisher Street

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and City of Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced Ashzianna Alexander, Mathias Lemos Castillo, and Dr. Jack Daniels as this year’s recipients of the combined City-County Humanitarian Awards honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The award winners were selected by the City-County Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission and are community members who reflect the values of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Ashzianna, Mathias, and Dr. Daniels all embody the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through their dedication to serve our community and build a better tomorrow,” said County Executive Parisi. “Whether it be Ashzianna’s skills as a youth leader, Mathias’ efforts to build community, or Dr. Daniels’ legacy in higher education, each recipient has dedicated themselves to making our community a better place to call home. Congratulations to each honoree for receiving this award.”

“Ms. Alexander has advocated for youth for years, doing the hard work and never shying away from the truth. Dr. Daniels has led Madison College’s cultural transformation through collaborative government and alignment with principles of equity and inclusion. And Mathias Lemos Castillo has focused his work on building community and engaging voices that are not always heard,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. “I thank them all for their work exemplifying the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and congratulate them on being chosen for this honor.”

The City and County will present the awards at the annual City-County Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance on Monday, January 15 at 6:00pm. More information can be found at http://mlkingcoalition.org.

Ashzianna Alexander

Ashzianna Alexander is a tireless youth leader in the community who has been working to make a change in local schools and communities for over five years. Prior to becoming a youth leader, she was a member of the Black Girls Matter group. Due to her ambitious nature and strong leadership qualities while in the group, she was given an opportunity to be a part of the Freedom Youth Squad. It was there that her determination as a youth leader stood out. Ashzianna advocated for the youth in her community and never shied away from speaking her truths, especially regarding the school system, where she even traveled around the nation to show support for her causes.

In Ashzianna’s free time, she may be volunteering at The Freedom Inc. organization by organizing or assisting with an event. This has helped mold her into being a successful leader in the community. She has begun her first year of college and is seeking to learn more about African American youth. She shows no signs of slowing down.

Mathias Lemos Castillo

Mathias Lemos Castillo is a seasoned consultant, dedicated to effective and culturally-relevant community engagement. Born and raised in Uruguay, he brings a unique perspective to his work. In January 2022, he founded MLC Consulting, LLC—an organization that focuses on helping individuals and organizations achieve their goals through intentional community engagement.

Prior to founding MLC Consulting, Mathias held leadership positions with various local and national organizations, including the Local Voices Network at MIT. In these various roles, he refined his skills as a conversation facilitator and community builder, gaining the ability to effectively convene community members, work with diverse audiences, and ensure exceptional partner satisfaction.

Mathias's community-oriented background is a valuable asset in his consulting work, which includes the City of Madison. Mathias has experience working with people, communities, and entities at both local and national levels. His fluency in Spanish and English enables him to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences. Additionally, Mathias serves as the Board Chair of the Latino Professionals Association of Greater Madison and serves on the Madison Public Library Board.

Dr. Jack Daniels

Dr. Jack E. Daniels, III, brings over 40 years of profound experience in higher education, spanning diverse institutions from community and technical colleges to graduate schools. His multifaceted career has seen him in various capacities, from esteemed professor to dedicated dean and college president. Notably, during his tenure as president of Madison Area Technical College, Dr. Daniels has been instrumental in fostering a collaborative governance environment that champions respect and acknowledges the invaluable contributions of faculty, staff, and students. His visionary leadership has reshaped the college's response to its diverse communities, propelling its transformation into a culture deeply rooted in principles of equity and inclusion.

Under Dr. Daniels' guidance, Madison College has achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of the Goodman South Campus in 2019—a testament to his commitment to providing educational and community resources to the city's most underserved populations. His initiatives encompass the development of high school academies, workforce training programs, transfer agreements with HBCUs and support for guaranteed transfer programs with various institutions. Recognized as one of the most influential African Americans in Wisconsin, Dr. Daniels has received many prestigious awards. A native of Chicago, Dr. Daniels holds a Ph.D. from the Wright Institute Graduate School of Psychology in Berkeley, California. He is happily married to Kimila Daniels, with whom he shares four children and four grandchildren.

More King Coalition events:

Friday, January 12, 2024

4:30pm – 7:00pm, UW Gordon Dining & Event Center | 770 W. Dayton St.: 34th Annual MLK Free Community Dinner, hosted By King Coalition. Share a meal with friends, old and new, in Dr. King’s spirit of beloved community. Jan. 11 update: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Free Community Dinner that is scheduled for Friday, January 12, 4:30-7:00 PM at Gordon Commons has been cancelled due to the forecast for severe a severe snow storm.

Saturday, January 13, 2024

10:30am – 2:30pm,  Madison College Goodman South Campus: MLK College Readiness Summit, hosted By The College Station. Learn about precollege programs, the admissions process, scholarships, and more. Register here.

6:00pm – 11:00pm, Wisconsin Masonic Center: “I Have a Dream” Scholarship Ball, hosted By Women in Focus.Buy your tickets to help Women in Focus raise scholarship funds and help "Actualize the Dream." Tickets

Sunday, January 14, 2024

7:30am – 10:00am, Edgewood High School: MLK Outstanding Young Person Breakfast, hosted By Urban League of Greater Madison. Join us to recognize over 200 middle and high school youth who are excelling in school and community honoring the spirit of Dr. King. Tickets here.

4:30pm – 6:00pm, Fountain of Life Church: MLK Ecumenical Service, hosted By King Coalition. Join us to promote the "beloved community" through spiritual inclusivity.

Monday, January 15, 2024

11:30am – 5:00pm, Madison Central Library: MLK Youth Call To Service, hosted By King Coalition, Urban League of Greater Madison, and others. Engaging workshops and more activities encouraging middle and high school youth to serve in the spirit of Dr. King. Tickets

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

5:30 – 7:00pm, Shannon Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St. MLK Symposium — An Evening with Anna Deavere Smith, hosted By UW-Madison Student Affairs and the Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement. An evening with acclaimed writer, actress, and teacher Anna Deavere Smith as she reflects on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. More Info