36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. March, Celebration returns
Published on December 16, 2022
36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. March, Celebration returns in person
SAN ANTONIO (December 16, 2022) — The City of San Antonio, in partnership with District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and the San Antonio Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission chaired by Dwayne Robinson, is inviting the community to take part in the largest march in the nation. The 36th Martin Luther King, Jr. March and Celebration will take place in person on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 at 10 a.m.
This year’s theme, “Together We Can Be THE Dream,” was created by Shaunda Hopkins Lohse and chosen by the MLK Jr. Commission as the theme for 2023.
"We are overjoyed to share the details of the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March. Often touted as the largest in the nation, next year’s March will return in-person for the first time since the COVID pandemic,” McKee-Rodriguez said. “After successfully advocating to triple the budget for the march, and receiving record engagement in our annual Artwork and Theme contests we have no doubt it will be even more joyous, connective, reflective, and more accessible to those who also hope to live Dr. King’s dream.”
Serving as the new chairman for the MLK Jr. Commission, Dwayne Robinson is hoping for maximum turnout from the city and hopes residents show up in record numbers for the march.
“We are excited to return, not only the in-person MLK, Jr. March, but also the Youth Summit, Wreath Laying Ceremony, Inter-Faith Service, Trinity University Lecture, Baptist Minister’s Union Worship Service, and announce the recipients of the MLK Public Service Award and Scholarship recipients,” Robinson said. “We’ve waited for three years to showcase to the nation that the city of San Antonio continues to honor the legacy of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As King once said, ‘The beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace is more precious than diamonds or silver or gold.’”
The 2023 celebration will begin with the in-person march kickoff at 10 a.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy, 3501 Martin Luther King Drive, and ends at Pittman-Sullivan Park, 1101 Iowa St., followed by the park celebration at Pittman-Sullivan Park. The park celebration will include a main stage with multicultural performances, a health and wellness area, a youth area, food and merchandise vendors, and information booths.
Commission and Community Events
Trinity Lecture
Thursday, January 12, 2023 – 7 p.m.
Location: Trinity Lecture Laurie Auditorium
Baptist Ministers Union Worship Service
Friday, January 13, 2023 – 7 p.m.
Location: Antioch Baptist Church
Youth Empowerment Event
Saturday, January 14, 2023 – 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: The Espee at Sunset Station
Wreath Laying Ceremony
Sunday, January 15, 2023 – 2 p.m.
Location: MLK Plaza (N. New Braunfels St. and E. Houston St.)
Inter-Faith Worship Service
Sunday, January 15, 2023 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: St. Gerard Catholic Church
Pre-March Service
Monday, January 16, 2023 – 8 a.m.
Pre-Worship Service
Monday, January 16, 2023 – 9 a.m.
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Academy
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March
Monday, January 16, 2023 – 10 a.m.
Starts at: Martin Luther King Jr. Academy
Ends at: Pittman-Sullivan Park
Commemorative Program & Public Awards Ceremony
Monday, January 16, 2023 – 12 p.m.
Location: Pittman-Sullivan Park
To stay updated on the MLK March and events, click here. The MLK Jr. Commission also administers the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Program, which fund a portion of college tuition for students, regardless of race or ethnicity. To learn more, click here.