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Welcoming Bishop Vashti McKenzie, First Female Bishop of the AME Church. Presentation of MLK Humanitarian Award by Mayor & County Executive. 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 2025 MLK Humanitarian Awards by Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Dane County Executive Melissa Agard, a Call to Action, and more.
Keynote: The highlight of the event will be a keynote speech from 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
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 4 at 6:30 PM | Saturday, January 18, 11:00 AM. Both rehearsals are at Mt. Zion Baptist Church | 2019 Fisher Street
