King Day 2026
Jan 19th
Join us on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The celebration begins at 11 a.m. in Dinosaur Hall. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Mark McCloud, Vice Chancellor for Access and Engagement at the University of Tennessee at Martin, will share his perspective on building inclusive communities and carrying forward Dr. King’s dream in today’s world.
The Discovery Park Community Choir, a newly formed group of singers and musicians from throughout our region, will fill the space with a moving performance celebrating hope, equality and peace.
After the program, families can participate in hands-on activities inspired by Dr. King’s most memorable quotes and take part in a special educational session exploring Dr. King’s relationships with other key civil rights leaders of the mid-20th century.
As the only federal holiday dedicated to national service, MLK Day invites us all to give back. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., local community service and volunteer organizations will be on-site to help guests discover meaningful ways to get involved and make a difference. Visitors are also encouraged to bring canned goods to support local food banks. Free admission to the 2026 King Day celebration is available for all.
Schedule of Activities:
11 a.m. to noon | Dinosaur Hall
- Opening remarks by Discovery Park CEO Scott Williams
- Musical selections performed throughout the program by the Discovery Park Community Choir
- Introduction of the keynote speaker by Discovery Park Board Member and UT-Martin First Lady, Rafielle Freeman
- Keynote address by Dr. Mark McCloud, Vice Chancellor for Access and Engagement at the University of Tennessee at Martin
12–2 p.m. | Dinosaur Hall
Civil Rights Activities for Young Learners
These hands-on activities are inspired by three of Dr. King’s famous quotes, encouraging creativity, reflection and learning through art and storytelling.
1 p.m. | The Tennessee Room
“Contemporaries of King”
Discover key civil rights figures of the mid-20th century—such as Fred Hampton, James Baldwin and Malcolm X. Explore how their ideas intersected with, were inspired by or challenged those of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This lesson highlighting the diversity of voices that shaped the movement for justice and equality will be taught by Michael Larkin, Discovery Park’s director of education.
About the Speakers and Performers:
Dr. Mark McCloud
McCloud is a visionary speaker, consultant and nationally recognized diversity and inclusion thought leader committed to organizational and cultural change. With over 27 years of experience in leadership, diversity training, and professional development, Dr. McCloud currently serves as the Vice Chancellor for Access and Engagement at the University of Tennessee at Martin. His work has been featured in Forbes, and he is the co-host of Two Sisters and The Doc podcast, focusing on race, relationships, and careers.
Discovery Park Community Choir
The Discovery Park Community Choir brings together singers and musicians from around our area to form a powerful and uplifting ensemble. The group performs a variety of traditional and contemporary gospel music that reflects the spirit of hope and unity at the heart of Dr. King’s message. In 2025, the choir was a part of June’s Juneteenth Celebration and the “Let It Glow” Kickoff. Check out this video for a glimpse of the group performing.
Thank you to Jerry Ward Autoplex for sponsoring our 2026 King Day event.
Community service vendors are welcome to register for this event.
Click the button below to sign up.
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