MLK Society Events & Updates
Upcoming Events
Explore our range of events dedicated to honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and promoting equality and justice in our community. Join us for these exiting events in January 2026. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates!
Oratorical Speech
January 13, 2026
10:00 AM
First Place Tower 15 East 4 Street
Come meet up to watch the 1st place winner of the Oratorical Speech Contest will be reciting Dr. King’s classic “I have A Dream” speech. This event is sponsored by ONE Gas. We would love to see you there!
'Dream Out Loud' Career Strategies for Student Success
January 14
9:30 AM - 1PM
Tulsa Technology Center, Peoria Campus, 3850 N. Peoria
High School students grades 10-12th will navigate through career exploration sessions for career success after a general session in the auditorium. The topics include Criminal Justice, Welding, EMS, Cosmetology/Barber, health Science Technology, Early Care & Education. Lunch will be provided. This event is underwritten by the MLK Commemoration society, Tulsa Tech and the Tulsa County Sheriff’s office.
Gospel Choir Workshop
January 12-16
7 PM nightly
Antioch Baptist Church, 110 W. 56th Street North
This event is hosted by The Booker School of Music. Participants will learn selected songs to be performed during the concert and the commemoration service.
"Who Are You Ministering To?" This enriching workshop will provide an opportunity for singers to refine their vocal talents while engaging in meaningful discussions on the impact of gospel music in ministry and community
'Keeping It Real' Student Leadership forum
January 16, 2026
10:00 AM -1:30 PM
OSU Tulsa
BerThaddaeus Bailey of My Brother’s Keeper Tulsa will facilitate this student forum. More than 200 Tulsa area high school students will participate in this leadership event that will educate and engage students in a discussion about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Students will be challenged to explore how they might become more engaged in activism in the spirit of Dr,. King. Sponsored by Phillips Theological Seminary.
MLK Student Awards & Sponsor Dinner (Invite only)
January 16, 2026
6:00p.m- 8:00p.m
Covenant Family Church,725 E 36th St N, Tulsa, OK 74106
We will celebrate the winners of the student art, essay, and oratorical contests, culminating in the presentation of Dr. King’s classic “I have A Dream” speech by the winner of the MLK Commemoration Society’s Oratorical Contest, sponsored by ONE Gas.
4th Annual Gospel Choir Concert
January 17, 2026
6:00 PM
Antioch Baptist Church, 110 W. 56th Street North
This uplifting event invites the community to celebrate Dr. King's legacy through the power of gospel music. It is hosted by The Booker School of Music. Join us!
Founder's Communty Breakfast
January 19
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
First Baptist Church North Tulsa, 1414 N. Greenwood Ave, in Stalkner Hall.
This event is free to the public. Join us for a breakfast sponsored by the FBCNT Men/Women’s Ministries and the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. First Baptist hosted a service in Tulsa where Dr. King spoke in the 1960s.
Past Events
Youth Art Contest
An art competition for students in Kindergarten through sixth grade in the Tulsa Metro Area. Students must CHOOSE ONE of the three themes that characterize Dr. King's life and work:
Love, Peace or Unity
Students create a drawing to illustrate what the theme means to them. Illustrations must be completed in paint, colored pencil and/or crayon on an 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of blank white paper. (No ink or pencil drawings. Do NOT fold picture, please.)
01
Why
To honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
03
Where
Complete the entry form and mail along the drawing to MLK Art P.O Box 14025, Tulsa OK 74159-1025 or email a PDF/scan of the picture with this entry form to emonca.reagan@okstate.edu. (No entries will be returned).
02
When
Art entries must be submitted by Wednesday, December 31, 2025
04
Prizes
1st Place - $200
2nd Place - $150
3rd Place - $100
2026 MLK Essay Contest
For students in Grades 6 - 8
Sponsored by: Pepsi Beverage Company & The Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Society, Inc.
Topic:
"Dr. King's Dream influences my choices"
Deadline: Wednesday December 31, 2025
Send entries to:
2025 MLK Essay Contest
Attn: Pauline Harris
P.O Box 14025, Tulsa OK 74159-1025
Entries may also be emailed to Harripa2@k12.tulsaschools.org
Please call Dr. Pauline Harris at 918-746-6517 with any questions
1. Participants
-
The contest is open to all middle school students (grades 6 - 8) in the Tulsa Metro area.
2. Essay Formatting
-
The title page must include the essay title, contestant's full name grade, school, sponsoring teacher(if applicable), phone number and email address of parent, and number of words in the essay
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350 - 500 words
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Words must be counted and noted on the title page
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Dates count as one word
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Information on the title page is not counted in the word count
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Entries must be double-spaced in 12-point font. font, Times New Roman or Georgia
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Provide a list of sources to give credit for the information
3. Cash awards
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1st place - $300
-
2nd place - $250
-
3rd place - $200
Oratorical Contest
All 9th through 12th Grade Students
Entry Deadlne
Friday, November 21, 2025
Submissions
Sponsorship
Submit participating student's name, school, cell phone and email address to Angela Burnett at angelad.burnett@hotmal.com
Contestants will render the "I Have A Dream Speech..." at Oklahoma State University - Tulsa on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm in the North Hall 150.
The speech must be memorized (Notes are not allowed to be used during the performance.)
Oratorical Contest Rubric
Quality of the performance will be judged based upon:
1. Enunciation
a. Diction
b. Clarity
2. Voice Quality
a. Tone
b. Pitch
3. Delivery
a. Emphasis
b. Feeling
4. Stage Presence
a. Eye Contact
b. Relaced Manner
5. Memorization
Cash Awards
Previous 1st place contest winners are neligable
1st place - $1,000
2nd place - $500
3rd place - $350
In the News:
January 2025 TulsaPeople Magazine
2024 MLK PARADE LIVE WEBCAST, KOTV NEWS ON 6
SCENES FROM THE 2024 MLK DAY PARADE BY TULSAPEOPLE
UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENT WINS 2024 'I HAVE A DREAM' ORATORICAL CONTEST
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