THE HISTORY OF ARLINGTON'S MLK CELEBRATION
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2005 Celebration |
In 1988, the City of Arlington added the Martin
Luther King, Jr. federal holiday to its calendar. The Arlington
Independent School District also voted to retain the day on its
official holiday calendar – decisions that would spawn a new
celebration in our city.
In 1989, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Committee was organized with representative from the Arlington Chamber
of Commerce, City of Arlington, Arlington Independent School District,
Arlington Ministerial Association, Black Citizen’s Advisory
Committee, U.S. Postal Service, Marian Anderson Society and the
University of Texas at Arlington.
Dr. Don Pike, pastor of the First United Methodist
Church, was the committee’s first chair. Under his leadership, the
MLK Committee voted to design and promote a meaningful citywide
celebration based on the ideals and the dream of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr.
With the help of local attorney Jerry Hoodenpyle,
MLK Celebration Committee, Inc. was established as a not-for-profit
organization in 1990 and is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service
as a charitable organization under Regulation 501(c) (3).
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2003 Celebration
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The first MLK Celebration was held that same year
in 1990 and featured three days of events that attracted about 1,000
participants. Successful citywide events have been held in the ensuing
years. In 1993, the closing musical/drama program drew such a large
crowd that it was relocated from the Arlington Community Center to the
Arlington High School Auditorium. In 1995, the event was again
relocated to UTA’s Texas Hall, where it continues to be held.
"Explore" was added in 1994. This program
targeted high school students, offering them an opportunity to learn
more about college life as they interacted with leaders of
participating organizations on the UTA campus.
"Junior Explore" was initiated two years
later and focused on students ages 6-13. Ecumenical services hosted by
various churches throughout the city always have been a major
component of the celebration. Over the years, diversity training,
sensitivity workshops, banquets, festivals and other multicultural
events have been incorporated into the multiday series of events in
the planning committee’s continuing effort to offer something for
everyone. Year after year, however, the closing children’s drama and
musical or Youth Extravaganza has remained the community’s favorite
and most well-attended event.
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2002 Celebration |
Contributors and supporters of the events have
included financial institutions, utility companies, the local
newspaper and a host of local businesses and individuals who want to
be associated with this celebration.
Arlington’s MLK Celebration has been successful,
in part, because of the committee’s dedication and its dynamic
leadership. Committee members have included an impressive list of
community leaders who believe in the importance of keeping Dr. Martin
Luther King’s dream alive.
The City of Arlington, Arlington ISD, the Arlington
Ministerial Association, UTA and Tarrant County College remain major
participants and are represented on the MLK Celebration Committee –
a dedicated group of volunteers who continue to stage one of the
community’s most successful celebration events.
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