Winners of 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Contests Announced, Will Be Celebrated at Free Citywide Celebration

MILWAUKEE (Jan. 9, 2025) – The Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC), along with We Energies, Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, announced today the student winners of the 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. art, speech, and writing contests. The winners will be celebrated at the 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration, presented by Bader Philanthropies, on Monday, January 20, at the Marcus Performing Arts Center.

This free event, coordinated by the MLK Steering Committee, will begin at 4:00 p.m. in Uihlein Hall and highlight this year’s youth contest winners as well as feature remarks from elected officials and performances from Milwaukee High School of the Arts Vocal Jazz Ensemble, The Riverside Brass Ensemble from Riverside University High School, and Paj Hnub Hli dance group from the Hmong American Friendship Association. Immediately following the program, all are invited to the Paulette Y. Copeland Reception celebrating the winners in the Anello Atrium.

The event will also include a special presentation of the Rev. Joseph Ellwanger Social Justice Award to Eddie and Mary Sue Short, whose story began over 60 years ago in Shaw, Mississippi, where they risked their lives to fight for voting rights, challenge segregation, and improve conditions in the Mississippi Delta. The Shorts’ partnership, forged through activism and strengthened by 58 years of marriage, stands as a testament to their unwavering commitment to justice and equality.

This year’s theme, “What Are You Doing for Others?,” was inspired by Dr. King’s words from a speech he gave on August 11, 1957, in Montgomery, Alabama, where he challenged his audience by saying:

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ Every person must decide at some point whether they will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”

“We are honored to host the 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration, a long-standing event that uplifts the voices of Milwaukee’s youth,” stated MPAC President & CEO Kevin Giglinto. “This event exemplifies the Marcus Performing Arts Center’s commitment to fostering racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in our community while encouraging the next generation to carry forward Dr. King’s enduring message.”

Since 1984, Milwaukee has proudly stood alongside Atlanta as one of the only cities in the country to host an annual celebration in honor of Dr. King’s birthday. For four decades, young people have been the heart of this celebration, interpreting Dr. King’s timeless messages through art, speech, and writing contests.

This year’s entries were submitted by students from Milwaukee and surrounding school districts. The complete list of this year’s contest winners can be found below.

Additionally, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educator of the Year Award will be presented to Rakia Jones, 5th Grade Teacher at Samuel Clemens School for her outstanding efforts and dedication in encouraging students to express themselves through the annual Dr. King contests.

“This year’s theme, ‘What Are You Doing for Others?,’ serves as a powerful reminder of Dr. King’s call to action and the impact we can all have through service and compassion,” said Bridgett Gonzalez, Grants Director at Bader Philanthropies. “Bader Philanthropies is proud to support this celebration, which not only honors Dr. King’s legacy but also empowers Milwaukee’s youth to explore how helping others can create meaningful change in their communities and beyond.”

This event is free and open to the public. There are no tickets required to attend, and complimentary parking will be available in the MPAC Parking Structure.

Event sponsors include Bader Philanthropies (Presenting Sponsor); We Energies and Milwaukee Public Schools (Speech Contest Sponsors); Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Writing Contest Sponsors), and Marcus Performing Arts Center (Art Contest Sponsor); Milwaukee County Transit System (Legacy Sponsor); Milwaukee County Office of Equity, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Educators Credit Union, Islamic Society of Milwaukee, and 101.7 The Truth (Freedom Sponsors); Landmark Credit Union (Peace Sponsor); Copeland Family and Donelle Johnson (Reception Sponsor).

For curriculum resources and more information, visit www.MarcusCenter.org/MLK

Mentioned in This Press Release