Nearly 750 Gather to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the YMCA’s Annual Community Celebration

MILWAUKEE, WI – January 19, 2026 – More than 700 community members gathered Monday morning at the Potawatomi Casino Hotel Event Center for the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration and Breakfast, one of Wisconsin’s largest MLK Day observances.

The event brought together civic, faith, nonprofit, and business leaders, along with youth and families, to honor Dr. King’s legacy through reflection, inspiration, and recognition of organizations and individuals advancing equity and opportunity across Milwaukee.

“We are proud to continue this long-standing tradition of bringing our community together to honor Dr. King’s life and legacy,” said Dave Morgan, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. “Dr. King challenged each of us to serve others and work toward justice. Today’s celebration reflects that call to action by uplifting youth voices and recognizing organizations making a real difference in our community.”

The program featured remarks from Governor Tony Evers, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, as well as presentations by student winners of the YMCA’s Youth Development Writing Contest, who reflected on the meaning and impact of Dr. King’s legacy.

The YMCA honored MICAH and Outreach Community Health Centers for their leadership in advancing equity, justice, and community health.

The event was presented by Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin, whose continued support helps advance the YMCA’s mission of health equity and community well-being.

About YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee
As a leading charitable organization committed to strengthening the community, the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee stands for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Y serves more than 50,000 men, women, and children through three branch locations, one overnight camp, one Early Childhood Education site, 27 school-age before and after school sites, and three summer camp sites. For more than 165 years, the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee has been an integral part of the communities it serves, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to gain experience, grow, and thrive. Learn more at www.ymcamke.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.