The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, Inc. (MLKCC), a Florida-based, volunteer-run, 501(c) 3, non-profit organization was established in 2003. It is the only organization in Broward County that is dedicated solely to the promotion of Dr. King’s legacy. The mission of MLKCC is to continue the ideals and vision of Dr. King through celebration, education and advocacy.

Each year since 2004, the MLKCC organization has sponsored various cultural and educational events around the King Holiday in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding Broward cities to celebrate the rich legacy of one of America’s greatest leaders.

In addition to the King Holiday Celebration events, the MLKCC have produced an annual MLK Children’s Film Festival and the September Groove Concert series, which brought new and up-coming musical talent to Broward County. Past MLKCC events have included the “Continuing the Vision” Awards Gala in 2004 that paid tribute to past civil rights pioneers in Broward County; “Songs of the Civil Rights Movement” workshop in 2007; and A Mentor Appreciation Reception in 2009. The MLKCC has also partnered with the Broward Center for the Performing Arts with the support of the Broward Cultural Council’s Cultural Diversity Program to present cultural performances by national acts such as the Harlem Gospel Choir, the Urban Ballet Theater Company of New York City, and the Grammy-winning gospel greats, Mighty Clouds of Joy as well as local talent such as the award-winning Dillard Jazz Ensemble and Jubilee Dance Company.

In recent years, the MLKCC has targeted youth involvement in the King Holiday activities with events such as the Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Party, “The Dream Lives In Me” Teen Rally and Step Showcase, “One Voice, One Dream MLK Youth Poetry Slam and “The Dream of Freedom International Distance Learning Project with BECON TV which brought together middle school students from Broward County and students from Haiti, Nicaragua, South Africa and other countries in a series of video conferences to discuss the legacy of Dr. King.

The King Holiday has become more than a day off from work for thousands of Broward residents. Families look forward to celebrating the legacy of Dr. King through community service, cultural and educational activities. The MLKCC is dedicated to providing Broward residents with meaningful, family-oriented events and activities that celebrate the legacy of Dr. King. The events produced by MLKCC for the King Holiday, as well those programmed throughout the year, are intended to showcase the positive aspects of the minority neighborhoods, communities and cultures that make up Broward County. MLKCC programs are designed to promote and propagate the legacy, philosophies and vision of Dr. King to a younger generation through education and community service.

The Board of Directors of the MLKCC organization along with a broad-based group of advisors and volunteers are constantly seeking new partnerships and resources to develop, expand and implement programs, activities and events that will best meet the mission of the organization. Some of the partners the MLKCC organization work with on an ongoing basis include: the School Board of Broward County, 103.5 The Beat, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, The Broward Cultural Division, Broward County Parks & Recreation, the City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation, the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, JM Family Enterprises, Publix Super Markets Charities, the Urban League of Broward County, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Broward County Chapter of the Florida A&M Alumni Association, the Youth Council of the NAACP, Broward College, HOT 105 FM Radio, and BECON TV.

MLKCC events and programs for 2023 will continue to build upon the momentum of past celebrations by focusing on education, community pride, social activism and cultural expression.As a result of past support, the MLKCC has been able to offer events and programs that have been free to the public.