The Discovery Park Community Choir sings African American spirituals for King Day 2026 at Discovery Park on Monday, Jan. 19, In Union City, TN | (Pacer Photo/Ethan Tanner)

Diverse crowds from all over Northwest Tennessee came together to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. at King Day 2026 at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 18.

UT Martin’s influence over the event was undeniable since First Lady Rafielle Boone Freeman and Vice Chancellor of Access and Engagement Mark McCloud were the two most prominent speakers.

As visitors of all colors, backgrounds and ages flooded into the Dinosaur Room, Discovery Park President Scott Williams took the podium for the opening remarks that reflected on the hopes and dreams of the late civil rights activist.

“When Dr. King spoke of his dream, he was not describing a finished achievement, but a moral direction. One that requires courage, patience and responsibility from every generation,” he said.

Upon the end of the speech, the Discovery Park Community Choir started to sing African American spirituals with a passion and fervor that filled the entire building.

They sang songs such as Lift Every Voice and Sing, Wade in the Water, We Shall Overcome and I Need to Survive with an energy that led many audience members to join in and clap to the beat.

First Lady Freeman took the stage and commemorated King by referencing how his legacy has garnered a federal holiday. “MLK Day is a day on, not a day off. It is a day of service, it is a day of leadership, a day of choosing to stand for something bigger than yourself.”

When Freeman stepped forward to introduce McCloud, her friend and colleague of 30 years, she drew many parallels between his values and motivations with those of the late Dr. King himself.

“His leadership reflects the very principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, championing service, justice and the belief that education can transform all people’s lives,” she said.

Throughout McCloud’s speech as the keynote speaker, he reminded every listening ear of everything King stood up for and stood against.

“King warns us of the impact of ingrained prejudices of civic discrimination that perpetuates inequality despite the premise of democracy,” he said. “He cautions us against economic exploitation, choosing to pursue property and possessions over people and human beings.”

“He also speaks of a faith, a faith that will transform our lives so that as a nation we can pray together. We can work together. We can live together. We can fight together for freedom for everyone,” he said.

At the end of his address, McCloud asked the audience how they would continue King’s work to help the new generation fight inequality and hatred.

“So I leave you with the question of the day. What are you going to do? What are we going to do in the time that’s in our hands? Are we going to fight for the next generation? The time is in your hands,” he said.

For the remainder of King Day, crafts and activities were set up for the children by UT Martin students from Greek Life organizations such as Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho and Iota Phi Theta.

Emma Allen, a junior criminal justice major from Memphis, was one of many UTM students who assisted with King Day through Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority inc.

“I really like King Day because we are able to give back to our community and help with the kids,” she said. “It’s really nice whenever we do arts and crafts with them, like making the Nobel Peace Prizes and doing obstacle courses.”

Allen also found the holiday important to her as a college student.

“It represents freedom and the free will that we have to express ourselves on campus. Even though it might be limited some days, it’s always there,” she said.

Freeman ended her final speech with wise words of inspiration that applied to every day of the year.

“Luke 21:19 tells us, ‘By standing firm you will gain life.’ When the road gets hard. When progress feels slow. We don’t step back. We push forward. As we leave this place, may we not simply remember Dr. King, but we push forward as the service, courage and love he called us to be.”