PLEASE DONATE $1 FOR EVERY PERSON IN YOUR FAMILY THAT WAS TOUCHED BY DR. KING'S LEGACY..
501(c)(3) Non-proft Organization

In 1987, a group of citizens, many recently transferred to Mesa, Arizona from Culver City, California as employees of Hughes Helicopters, gathered together in the home of Warren Simms to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The following year, Warren and Chellette Henderson led a group of citizens to coordinate the first MLK Breakfast in Mesa. Even without an official holiday, the celebration continued to grow over the years to expand to include a march and a festival.  By 1991, the group of concerned citizens began working to establish a holiday which encountered much opposition. The initiative was defeated in 1992 at the ballot box. But thanks to the passion and commitment of these leaders, the community came to realize the importance of King's legacy and the need to officially celebrate the holiday in our community.

In 1996, the voters of Mesa established a citywide holiday recognizing the leadership of Dr. King. The victory did not come without challenges...but the victory came! Today, the committee continues to coordinate the celebration that is enjoyed by thousands of Mesa residents and has grown to include citizens across many cities in Arizona and across the country. In addition we have added people from around the globe like France, Canada and Mexico.

We proudly embrace the theme that represents that unity -- Many Faces, One Community. The march that once symbolized the struggle to have an official holiday is now a parade that celebrates the unity of the community. The fight for a holiday was never about a 'day off,' but was about a day to remember, a day to celebrate, a day to recognize, and a day to serve others.

How do we remember, celebrate, recognize and serve others?

The Mesa Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee’s celebratory events are designed to bring community residents together for a weekend of remembering a spiritual man who believed in God, non-violence and loving others.

 Our History….

In 2008 Restoration of the Alston House  a small house loaded with historical significance. Built in the 1920's, it was both home and office of Dr. Lucius Alston, the first African-American doctor to practice in Mesa. During an era of segregation, Dr. Alston and his wife, Velma, a nurse, treated members of the African-American, Hispanic, and American Indian communities. The city of Mesa leases the house to the Mesa Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee and the Mesa Association of Hispanic Citizens for office and community space.

In 2014 the highlight of the MLK celebration was the completion of a project that the Mesa MLK Committee has worked on for several years: the unveiling of a street named after Dr. King. The decision to rename 3rd Place as Martin Luther King Jr. Way came during a Mesa City Council meeting in December 2014.

http://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/mesa/martin-luther-king-jr-day-mesa-honors-king-with-street-naming

In 2015 our theme was to end child hood hunger. One out of four children goes hungry in Arizona. Mesa MLK, local schools and businesses helped to raise over 4,000 pounds of peanut butter and jelly to feed Arizona’s children. We hosted our first community Gala with Grammy Nominated Jazz Artist, Jonathan Butler. We had a record number of attendees over 8,000 at our Parade and Festival. 

Scholarships: To date we have given over 50 scholarships!!

Due to Budget cuts from our major sponsors this year we fell short of our goal in raising funds to continue carrying on the work of Dr. King.  Help us to continue to give scholarships, fund small businesses with our entrepreneur program, feed Arizon's children, and celebrate Dr. King’s birthday with our parade and festival.

We are asking one million people to become dreamers. Dreamers are those people who have benefited from Dr. King’s Dream. Please donate $1 or more in the name of a family member or someone who helped you dream. Pass this on! Let’s keep the dream alive! Help us to pass the dream on to others by helping Mesa MLK keep the dream alive. Thanks so much! 

















www.mesamlk.org