40th Annual Madison & Dane County MLK Day Observance

The King Coalition was established in the fall of 1985 as a community group to plan the official City of Madison and Dane County observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday along with other events to commemorate the life and accomplishments of Dr. King. The Coalition consists of representatives from religious communities, organized labor, UW-Madison, United Way, peace groups, service organizations, city and county government, and other individuals committed to equal rights and justice for all people. Coalition activities are made possible through public and private financial sponsorship, in-kind and volunteer support.

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.