Northern Orange County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, 2026
The theme for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is “Reflections on the Dream… The Work for Justice Continues.” This year’s celebration will consist of four events.
The annual Oratorical Contest will be held at 1pm on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Mt. Bright Missionary Church, 211 West Union Street, Hillsborough, NC. This event is open to the public.
A Celebratory Banquet will be held at the Durham Hilton Hotel (3800 Hillsborough Road, Durham, NC, beginning at 4pm on January 17. Tickets are $50/person and include a 7-course meal, live entertainment, and a guest speaker. Tickets are $50/person and attire is semi-formal. To purchase tickets, contact Geraldine Fleming (email ghfleming@bellsouth.net, cell 919-219-4449) BEFORE January 5, 2026.
On Monday, January 19, the Commemorative March will begin at 9am at the Orange County Historic Courthouse and proceed to Dickerson Chapel AME Church and on to Mt. Bright Missionary Baptist Church. Participants in the march can park at Mt. Bright Missionary Baptist Church (211 West Union Street) and take a shuttle to the courthouse, beginning at 8:15am. This event is open to the public. Member churches are asked to carry a banner representing their church in the parade.
The Commemorative Program at Mt. Bright Missionary Baptist Church will begin around 10am, at the conclusion of the march. The keynote speaker is the Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Lyons. This event is open to the public.
If you have further questions, please contact Geraldine Fleming: email ghfleming@bellsouth.net, cell 919-219-4449.