The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day City-County Observance
to
Overture Center-Capitol Theater 201 State St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703

AME Church
A close-up of Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie.
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie
It’s a big anniversary — Africasong presents Wisconsin's 45th annual tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at noon in the Capitol Rotunda (and broadcast live on Wisconsin Public Radio). Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors Chair Marcelia N. Nicholson will give the keynote on the theme of “Justice Lives Here,” and performances include violinist Brianna Ware-Boggs, the Gospel Music According to Chicago Mass Choir and the MLK Multi-Cultural Dance Collective; it's hosted by WPR's Jonathan Øverby. The 40th annual Madison and Dane County MLK Day Observance at the Overture Center for the Arts starts at 5 p.m. with a Freedom Songs Sing-Along, with the formal presentations starting at 6 p.m. This year’s keynote speaker is Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the first woman elected to office in the history of the AME Church and who now serves as the president and general secretary of the National Council of Churches. Songs from the volunteer, once-a-year MLK Community Choir and presentation of the 2025 MLK Humanitarian Awards (to Charles Tubbs and Sheray Wallace) round out the evening. For info on more events honoring Dr King, see mlkingcoalition.org.
media release: 40th Annual Madison & Dane County MLK Day Observance: January 20, 2025, Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State Street | Free
5:00 PM – Freedom Songs Sing-Along | 6:00 PM – Program
Welcoming Bishop Vashti McKenzie
Bishop McKenzie was the first female elected to office in history of the AME Church. She is currently President/General Secretary of the National Council of Churches where she provides executive leadership to 37 denominations, 100,000 churches and 30 million people. She was appointed by President Obama to the White House Commission of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and named one of the 50 Most Powerful Religious Leaders in the World by Huffington Post.
Characterized as “an electrifying preacher,” Bishop McKenzie preaches and teaches globally on women, leadership, and other social justice issues
The program will also feature the MLK Community Choir and presentation of the 2025 MLK Humanitarian Awards by Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Dane County Executive Melissa Agard
The King Coalition extends its congratulations to Charles Tubbs and Sheray Wallace as the 2025 Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award Honorees! The honorees were selected by the City-County Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, based on their embodiment of the values of service, equity, and justice that Dr. King championed.
“Charles and Sheray represent the very best of our community through their unwavering dedication to service and advocacy for equity,” said County Executive Agard. “Charles’s remarkable career in public service and Sheray’s grassroots efforts in public health and community engagement inspire us all to work towards a more just and inclusive society. Congratulations to both honorees on this well-deserved recognition.”
“Dr. King said life's most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ Charles and Sheray have earned this recognition because they answered that call to serve with persistency and urgency,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. “Our honorees are also a reminder that to truly serve our residents, we need leaders at every level working together to reach the same shared goal. Thank you, Charles and Sheray, for your unwavering efforts to better our community.”
With over 52 years of distinguished public service, Charles Tubbs has expertly navigated the complex fields of emergency management, law enforcement, corrections, and community safety. Recognized as one of the “Top 100 Law Enforcement Officials/Heroes in the USA” by Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and George H. Bush, Tubbs has garnered national and international acclaim for his initiatives addressing civil unrest, public health, mental health, addiction, racism, socioeconomic disparities, and educational challenges.
During his tenure as Director of Dane County Emergency Management, Tubbs played a vital role in the county’s COVID-19 pandemic response, ensuring equitable resource distribution to protect vulnerable populations. He also demonstrated exemplary leadership during the racial and social justice demonstrations following George Floyd’s death, fostering peaceful protests while upholding public safety.
Tubbs’s advocacy extends to addiction awareness, inspired by the loss of his son to an accidental overdose. His efforts have broken barriers, created support networks and fostered education for affected families. Charles Tubbs continues to serve as a national Adjunct Faculty Instructor for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, and his work remains a testament to the principles of integrity, compassion, and justice.
Sheray Wallace is passionate about community health. Arriving in Madison in 1999, Sheray has lived in the Meadowood neighborhood for 20 years. She joined the Meadowood Neighborhood Association and was soon serving needs by organizing quarterly community suppers and forming partnerships with the police and non-profits to support families in need. Sheray worked full-time at night while working without pay during the day to help those in need of food and medical care. Sheray became the first certified community health worker in Madison and founded Meadowood Health Partnership, where she currently works.
In 2016, Sheray created her own community health care office and organized the first Stop the Violence, Save the Children parade in southwest Madison—a tradition she continues annually. She works with Focused Interruption and partners with Madison and Dane County Public Health on violence prevention. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheray was instrumental in organizing vaccine clinics in marginalized neighborhoods, supporting families facing eviction, and connecting landlords with federal CORE funds to keep people housed.
Sheray also operates high blood pressure and diabetes education clinics, supports new mothers and babies, provides immediate aid to those facing homelessness due to domestic violence, and distributes food and gas gift cards to those in need. Her tireless efforts have set the standard for community health work and outreach, making her a bridge to health care networks across the city. Sheray Wallace and Meadowood Health Partnership serve as a model for the transformative power of grassroots health care advocacy.
Sheray’s impact is deeply felt in the neighborhoods she serves, where she has built resilience and fostered hope. She is truly a treasure in our community.
JOIN THE 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 14 at 6:30 PM | Saturday, January 18, 11:00 AM. Both rehearsals are at Mt. Zion Baptist Church | 2019 Fisher Street
OTHER EVENTS:
MLK Free Community Dinner: January 17, 2025, 4:30 – 7:00 PM | Gordon Dining & Event Center, 770 W. Dayton St.
Kick-off the King Holiday weekend with fellowship and the annual MLK Free Community Dinner. Dinner served buffet style will include fried and baked chicken, mac n’ cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, sweet potato pie, and more. Join us and share a wonderful meal with friends, old and new, in Dr. King’s spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood!
MLK Ecumenical Service: January 19, 2025, 4:30 – 6:00 PM | S.S. Morris AME Church
Join us to promote the “beloved community” through spiritual inclusivity. The MLK Ecumenical Service joins people together from diverse religious traditions, socioeconomic statuses, ethnicities and political beliefs in the spirit of brotherhood/ sisterhood to honor Dr. King’s dream of social justice and equality. It also seeks to develop the “beloved community” through spiritual inclusivity and recognition of our shared humanity.
MLK Youth Call To Service: January 20, 2025, 12:00 – 5:00 PM | Madison Central Library
The King Coalition of Madison & Dane County, in partnership with the Urban League, MOST, MSCR, the city of Madison, and DCDHS, is pleased to announce that registration for the annual MLK Day Youth Call to Service event is now open. We have an exciting and empowering slate of workshops grounded in the teachings of Dr. King that will engage youth in exploration and self-reflection around the topics of civil rights and leadership.
The 2025 MLK Day Youth Call to Service will take place on Monday, January 20, from 12:00 - 5:00 PM at the Central Madison Public Library (201 W Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703).
This event is open to any middle school aged youth groups or teams of students. There is no cost to participate, and lunch will be provided. Students must attend as a part of a group in order to participate. We require that groups have at least 1 adult leader per 10 youth participants in attendance. Space is limited to 100 participants so register today!
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Andrew Schilcher, Director of Middle School Programs at the Urban League of Greater Madison at aschicher@ulgm.org. Registrations are due by Wednesday, January 15.
OTHER COMMUNITY MLK DAY EVENTS
I Have a Dream Scholarship Ball, hosted by Women In Focus
Saturday, January 18, 6:00 - 11:00 pm | Click here for tickets
Youth Recognition Breakfast, hosted by Urban League of Greater Madison
Sunday, January 19, 7:30 - 10:00 am | Click here for tickets
45th annual Tribute and Ceremony presented by Africasong.
Monday, Jan. 20, noon, Capitol Rotunda: Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors Chair Marcelia N. Nicholson will give the keynote on the theme of “Justice Lives Here,” and performances include violinist Brianna Ware-Boggs, the Gospel Music According to Chicago Mass Choir and the MLK Multi-Cultural Dance Collective; hosted by Jonathan Øverby.
UW Madison MLK Symposium, hosted by Student Affairs & DDEEA
Tuesday, January 28, 5:30 - 7:30 pm | Click here for details