The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute and Ceremony

×

Expand

courtesy Wisconsin Public Radio

A close-up of Jonathan Øverby.

Jonathan Øverby

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: Join in the celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by tuning in to Wisconsin Public Radio’s broadcast of Wisconsin’s 45th Annual Tribute and Ceremony from the Capitol Rotunda on Jan. 20. The program is produced, directed, and hosted by Dr. Jonathan Øverby, executive producer and host of WPR’s Saturday evening world music program “The Road to Higher Ground with Jonathan Øverby.”

The Annual Tribute and Ceremony is Wisconsin’s official state ceremony and is the oldest official MLK state celebration in the U.S. The theme of this year’s program is “Justice Lives Here.” Marcelia N. Nicholson, chair of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, will give the keynote address. There will be music and dance performances from the Gospel Music According to Chicago Mass Choir, violinist Dr. Brianna Ware-Boggs, and the MLK Multi-Cultural Dance Collective. The event will also include presentations of MLK Heritage Awards.

“Justice Lives Here” honors the impact of leaders and ordinary citizens in their communities, living the spirit of Dr. King’s belief in the power of equality, according to Øverby. “We will celebrate Dr. King’s birthday and reflect on the ongoing work in communities large and small to pursue Dr. King’s dream,” Øverby said. “Dr. King’s legacy of service, his vision of equal rights for Black Americans, and his deep belief that we will get to the promised land of equality continues to inspire people here at home and around the world.”

“We are proud to help Wisconsin honor and learn from the work of Dr. King,” WPR Director Sarah Ashworth said. “This Annual Tribute and Ceremony is a chance for Wisconsinites to remember and reconnect with his legacy.”

The Annual Tribute and Ceremony in the State Capitol Rotunda at 2 E. Main St in Madison is free and open to the public. It will be broadcast live at noon on Jan. 20 on WPR Music stations across Wisconsin, on wpr.org and the WPR app. It will be rebroadcast at 8 p.m. Jan. 20 on WPR News stations, and PBS Wisconsin will air an edited highlights program on its Wisconsin Channel from 9-10 p.m. An archive will be available for later viewing at pbswisconsin.org.

Find more details at wpr.org/mlk