YMCA Brings Milwaukee Community Together for 26th Annual MLK Day Celebration

MILWAUKEE, WI — As a central pillar of its commitment to social responsibility for over 25 years, the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee is proud to again convene public officials, business and faith leaders, nonprofit representatives, and the public on January 16 to celebrate the life, and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin King Jr. The long-standing event is one of Wisconsin’s most prominent events celebrating the national holiday that honors Dr. King’s legacy, and will return to Potawatomi Casino Hotel after two years of hosting the event virtually.

The theme of this year’s event focuses on an excerpt from one of Dr. King’s most famous quotes, “The time is always right to do what is right.”

“We’re excited and thankful to continue with our long-standing tradition of celebrating Dr. King’s legacy by bringing the Milwaukee community together to honor his life and recognize those who have followed in his commitment of service to others.  Dr. King’s work and his impact on society are immensely relevant to our mission of advocacy for social justice, improved education, health outcomes, and racial equity in the Milwaukee community,” said Carrie Wall, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee.

Attendees will join top Milwaukee area community and business leaders on Monday, January 16 from 7:30 to 9:00 AM to advance health and education equity across the city. The breakfast event will feature messages from the Governor’s Office, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.

A highlight of the event is the return of an attendee favorite: Presentations from student winners of the Y’s Spoken Word Contest ranging in age from 5-18, who each wrote about the meaning and impact of Dr. King’s legacy on their lives.

Top health organizations like Advocate Aurora Health and Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin are also joining business leaders from Northwestern Mutual, Potawatomi Casino Hote, GE Healthcare, and other companies to connect, collaborate, and strengthen equity efforts across different sectors of the city.

In addition, the Y is hosting a Deliberate Dialogues series featuring current topics of interest, including neighborhood stabilization, mental health equity, early childhood education, and financial security. Over the course of the week, community leaders will explore a different topic each day via a virtual panel discussion that’s free and open to the public. This series supports the Y’s commitment to its Social Responsibility pillar by celebrating the life and work of Dr. King.

Tickets for the event and celebration start at $60, with proceeds going toward the Y’s integrated health, education, and equity efforts. Organizations that want to strengthen their presence can sponsor or buy groups of tickets for their teams. To learn more or register for the event, visit ymcamke.org/mlk-celebration.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.