News

 King Holiday Food Giveaway 

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by giving back to our community! Join us for a free food giveaway to help neighbors and families in need.

 Food will be distributed first-come, first-served while supplies last.

Let’s honor Dr. King’s legacy of service, love, and community by coming together to support one another. Everyone is welcome!

#KingHoliday #MLKDay #CommunityGiveback #BelovedCommunity #FoodForAll #ServeWithLove

As we approach the King Holiday, we pause to honor the life, legacy, and enduring vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This day is more than a commemoration—it is a call to action. Dr. King reminded us that “everybody can be great, because everybody can serve,” and his words continue to guide our work today.

The King Holiday invites us to reflect on the power of service, unity, and collective responsibility. It challenges us to move beyond remembrance and into meaningful action that strengthens our communities and uplifts those most in need. Through service projects, educational opportunities, and community engagement, we recommit ourselves to the principles of justice, equity, and love that defined Dr. King’s mission.

This holiday is an opportunity to come together across backgrounds, generations, and experiences to build bridges and inspire hope. When we serve together, we honor Dr. King not only with words, but with deeds that create lasting impact.

We encourage everyone to participate—by volunteering, attending events, supporting local organizations, or sharing this message of service and unity. Each act, no matter how small, contributes to the larger movement toward Dr. King’s dream.

As we observe the King Holiday, let us recommit to being change agents in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. Together, we can ensure that Dr. King’s legacy lives on through our actions today and every day.

#KingHoliday #MLKDay #DayOnNotADayOff #ServiceAboveSelf #LivingTheDream

2026 MLK Fireworks Spectacular!

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy with a spectacular fireworks display for King Week 2026! Bring your family and friends to honor Dr. King’s vision of unity, hope, and community.

 Date: January 19Time: 6:00 PM  Location: North Shore Riverwalk Park

Enjoy an evening of celebration, reflection, and community spirit as we light up the sky in honor of Dr. King’s dream.

#MLKFireworks #KingWeek2026 #BelovedCommunity #MLKLegacy #CelebrateUnity #FamilyEvent

Join us for a special live broadcast of the Broadway Joe Morning Show as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

 Where: Live on Power 92.3

Tune in for inspiring stories, community highlights, and reflections on Dr. King’s legacy of service, unity, and justice. Let’s honor his vision together while celebrating the leaders, mentors, and changemakers in our community.

 Be part of the conversation! Share your thoughts, stories, and tributes using: #KingHoliday #BroadwayJoeMorningShow #MLKLegacy #BelovedCommunity #InspirationOnAir

The Beloved Community Civic Leadership Award is part of The King Center's annual MLK Jr. Awards, recognizing individuals and groups who embody Dr. King's vision, leading with love and justice to create a more peaceful, equitable world, with recent honorees including organizations like Black Voters Matter for their significant impact on social justice and human rights.

Key Aspects of the Award

• Presented By: The King Center, founded by Coretta Scott King, to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy.
• Purpose: To celebrate those who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to creating Dr. King's vision of the "Beloved Community" – a world free from poverty, racism, and violence.
• Who is Honored: Leaders, organizations, and change-makers making tangible impacts in areas like voting rights, education, corporate responsibility, and community wellness.

 King Week Community Charity Basketball Game! 

Join us for an exciting charity basketball game during King Week, bringing the community together to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of unity, service, and empowerment!

January 16, 2026, 6:00 PM

All proceeds will support local community programs and initiatives that uplift youth and families. Come cheer, connect, and celebrate the spirit of giving back!

#KingWeek2026 #MLKLegacy #CommunityBasketball #BelovedCommunity #ServeWithLove #UnityInAction

King Week Coats Giveaway – Jonesboro! 

Stay warm this winter! In partnership with Impact Church of Jonesboro, we’re giving away free coats to children in need during King Week.

 Date:January 16  Time: 5:00 PM Location: Impact Church of Jonesboro

 First-come, first-served – while supplies last! Let’s honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy by serving our community and spreading warmth.

#CoatsForKids #MLKLegacy #BelovedCommunity #ServeWithLove #JonesboroCommunity #KingWeek2026

MLK Fatherhood Initiative | King Week Event 

Join us during King Week for the MLK Fatherhood Initiative, a powerful conversation uplifting the role of fathers, mentors, and positive male leadership in our families and communities.

 First Assembly of God,  North Little Rock, Arkansas

This gathering honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision by strengthening families, encouraging responsible fatherhood, and building the next generation through love, guidance, and leadership.

Fathers. Mentors. Leaders. Community Builders. Let’s come together to invest in our children and the future.

#KingWeek #MLKFatherhood #BelovedCommunity #StrongFamilies #NorthLittleRock #LegacyOfLove

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 97th Birthday! 

Join us at Baseline Bilingual School as we honor the life, legacy, and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a special 97th Birthday Bash!

Date: January 15
Time:1:00 PM
Location: Baseline Bilingual School

Come enjoy music, activities, and a celebration of Dr. King’s enduring message of love, unity, and service. Families, students, and community members are all welcome!

#MLK97 #KingBirthdayBash #BelovedCommunity #MLKLegacy #BaselineBilingualSchool #CelebrateUnity

For more information or media inquiries, please contact the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission at 888-290-KING or www.arkingdream.org.

 King Week 2026: Dove Release & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Join us in Stuttgart as we kick off King Week 2026 with a symbolic dove release and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating unity, service, and community empowerment.

Date: January 14      Time: 1:00 PM  Location:Holman Heritage Center

This special event honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and recognizes local leaders, youth programs, and community organizations making a difference. Come together with neighbors, friends, and families to celebrate hope, peace, and progress.

Everyone is invited—let’s soar together for unity and the Beloved Community!

#KingWeek2026 #MLKLegacy #DoveRelease #RibbonCutting #BelovedCommunity #StuttgartAR #UnityInAction

 Read to LEAD: Honoring the King Legacy 

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy through literacy and leadership! Join us for Read to LEAD, featuring the inspiring book: It Starts With Me.

January 12-16, 2026, Various Statewide Locations

This event encourages reading, leadership, and community engagement, reminding us that change begins with each of us. Perfect for students, families, and community members committed to living Dr. King’s vision.

 Come read, reflect, and be inspired to lead with love, service, and action!

#ReadToLEAD #MLKLegacy #ItStartsWithMe #BelovedCommunity #LeadershipThroughLiteracy #KingWeek2026

 King Week 2026 – Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Join us as we honor the life, vision, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a week of community events, service, education, and celebration!

 Dates: January 10– January 19 Locations: Various sites across Arkansas

King Week 2026 will feature:  Community Service Projects Youth Programs & Mentorship Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies & Dove Releases  Celebratory Events: Fireworks, Food Giveaways, Basketball Games, & More!  Recognitions of Local Leaders & Advocates

Let’s come together to serve, inspire, and build the Beloved Community!

#KingWeek2026 #MLKLegacy #BelovedCommunity #ServeWithLove #UnityInAction #CelebrateMLK

Join us during King Week for the MLK Fatherhood Initiative, a powerful conversation uplifting the role of fathers, mentors, and positive male leadership in our families and communities.

 January 16
 1:00 PM
 First Assembly of God
 North Little Rock, Arkansas

This gathering honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision by strengthening families, encouraging responsible fatherhood, and building the next generation through love, guidance, and leadership.

‍ Fathers. Mentors. Leaders. Community Builders.
Let’s come together to invest in our children and the future.

#KingWeek #MLKFatherhood #BelovedCommunity #StrongFamilies #NorthLittleRock #LegacyOfLove

Show Your Support with the MLK License Plate! 

Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by getting your official MLK commemorative license plate. Every plate helps support programs and initiatives that advance Dr. King’s vision of justice, equality, and community service.

Get yours today and drive change while celebrating Dr. King’s legacy!

#MLKLegacy #KingPlate #BelovedCommunity #DriveForJustice #SupportMLKPrograms #CelebrateUnity

Visit  governor.arkansas.gov/help-arkansas to find food assistance, local resources, and community programs in your county.

You can also attend local free food distributions and community giveaways happening near you. No one should have to go hungry while waiting for assistance

 Celebrating 10 Years of Legacy on the Road
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative License Plate in Arkansas — a powerful symbol of unity, equality, and service. For a decade, this license plate has served not just as a way to honor Dr. King’s legacy, but as a moving message of hope across every highway and byway of our great state.
Every plate purchased supports educational programming, youth initiatives, and community service projects that promote Dr. King's dream of justice and peace.
 Thank you to everyone who has chosen to ride with purpose.
 Let’s continue the journey together — forward, with love and nonviolence.
#MLKLicensePlate #10YearsStrong #DriveTheDream #MLKCommission #LegacyOnWheels #ArkansasMLK #Nonviolence365 #CelebrateTheDream

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative License Plate in Arkansas! For a decade, this plate has served as a rolling tribute to Dr. King’s legacy of nonviolence, unity, and justice — reminding us daily that the dream lives on.

Each plate is more than just a tag — it’s a commitment to continue Dr. King’s work across our communities. Proceeds from the license plate support programming and outreach that uplift youth, promote education, and build bridges across cultures.

Thank you to every Arkansan who proudly displays this symbol of hope and progress on their vehicle. You help keep the Dream alive, mile by mile.

Don’t have one yet? Visit your local revenue office and ask for the King License Plate — and drive with purpose.

#MLK #KingLicensePlate #10YearsStrong #ArkansasMLK #KeepTheDreamAlive

For more information, please visit www.arkingdream.org, or call (501) 683-1300.

MLK Access Home Community Impact Initiative 2024

Empowering Homeownership for Arkansans

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, in collaboration with U.S. Bank, proudly introduces the Access Home Community Impact Initiative 2024. This initiative is designed to dismantle the barriers that low-to-moderate-income families face on their path to homeownership.

Overcoming Homeownership Hurdles

Many families encounter obstacles such as:

• Lack of Capital: High initial costs like down payments and closing fees.
• Access to Credit: Limited credit access and poor credit histories.
• Complex Processes: The daunting intricacies of the homebuying journey.
• Housing Availability: A shortage of affordable housing options.
• Economic Factors: Challenges like imperfect credit scores or saving for a down payment.

U.S. Bank Access Home Loan Program

To address these challenges, the U.S. Bank Access Home Loan Program offers:

• Down payment assistance
• Lender credits
• Mortgage insurance coverage
• Fixed interest rates for the life of the loan

Our Community Outreach Plan

Aligned with A.C.A. § 25-24-102, our outreach includes:

1. Financial Literacy Toolkit: A comprehensive guide for personal finance management.
2. Vendor Partnerships: Collaborations to utilize industry resources.
3. Promotion: Encouraging participation in our financial literacy sessions.
4. Needs Assessment: Personalized meetings to set financial goals.
5. Interactive Lessons: Online education via platforms like Khan Academy.
6. Progress Tracking: Regular check-ins to assess financial readiness.
7. Completion Ceremony: Celebrating milestones and preparing for the next steps.

Get Involved

Join us in this transformative journey towards secure homeownership. For more information or to participate, contact the AMLKC Office at (501) 683-1300 or visit our website at www.ARKingDream.org.

Thank you Clearwater Paper for sponsoring events hosted by the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission thanks Entergy for sponsorship of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission's outreach

The Executive Summary of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission 

The mission of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission is to promote and preserve the life and legacy of Dr. King in the State of Arkansas. The A.M.L.K.C. is guided by Dr. King’s mission and philosophy of love, tolerance, and nonviolence. It strives for social improvement in Arkansas, helping communities and organizations achieve new leadership and public service levels. 

Friends, please pick up a copy of the June edition of 501 LIFE Magazine!!!!! Hot off the press there is a beautiful five-page spread honoring the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission's 30th anniversary.

Pick up a glossy copy or clink on this link on this link at turn to page 73.

https://issuu.com/501adsandmags/docs/june_2023...

• 10+ year partnership between State Farm and the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, which has been phenomenally beneficial to young Arkansans and their families
• In the early years, it started with the Commemorative Vigil honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Youth Community Service Day where students from across the State of Arkansas convened on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol to celebrate and promote the importance of service
• No matter the choice, service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community.  It breaks down barriers by bringing people from diverse backgrounds together and it helps those who choose to serve.
• This expanded to include our annual signature program on the King Holiday titled “A Day Of Service – A Day Of Impact” where the motto is “A Day On, Not A Day Off”.  During this project, service providers were gathered at one location to supply direct services and/or referrals to the community.  Many of these services and referrals included health screenings, hygiene kits, food distribution, employment connections, government aid, and more.
• Continuing through the success of the partnership, L.E.A.D. ® (Leadership, Education, and Acceptance of Diversity) was added to further the reach.   L.E.A.D. ® is a mentorship and leadership program created by the Commission that is designed to enhance today’s youth through social, academic, and career opportunities with the mission to further and preserve the life and legacy of Dr. King throughout the State of Arkansas while promoting the principles of nonviolence and equality among all citizens.

Most recently, the Kingian Financial Literacy Program was added to increase the footprint of programs available for young Arkansans and their families throughout the four (4) congressional districts of Arkansas.  The Kingian Financial Literacy Program is embedded as a framework in a majority of the public community outreach activities under various names, most of which are titled “Nonviolence Youth Summit”, “Economic Development”, and more; here is a list of many of those activities with Financial Literacy as the center of discussion and oftentimes the standalone topic and theme:

Chamber of Commerce Tours throughout Arkansas in Batesville (Independence County), Benton (Saline County), Blytheville (Mississippi County), DeQueen (Sevier County), El Dorado (Union County), Fayetteville (Washington County), Fort Smith (Sebastian County), Harrison (Boone County), Helena-West Helena (Phillips County), Hope (Hempstead County), Hoxie (Lawrence County), Marianna (Lee County), Little Rock (Pulaski County), Monticello (Drew County), Pine Bluff (Jefferson County), and Siloam Springs (Benton County)

• Delta Experience in both Phillips County and Lee County to include education, nonviolence, youth empowerment, literacy, economic development, food insecurity, and paying it forward
• Economic Development Conference in Monticello (Drew County)
• Hunger Relief Food Distributions on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and King Holiday where information was distributed to attendees inviting them to join a free, self-paced online class about Personal Finance, Financial Literacy, Home Ownership, and more
• Promoting Reading Initiative for Student Excellence (R.I.S.E.)
• Reading Programs at Forest Heights Stem Academy and Bale Elementary School
• Virtual Home Buyers Workshops

A majority of the mentions and coverage are on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AMLKC) highlighting engagement from State Farm® agents who participated in several ways such as leading workshop presentations, speaking on the program, or volunteering.  Here are a few photos from those occasions.

LITTLE ROCK-The mission of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, a division of the Arkansas Department of Education, is to promote and preserve the life and legacy of Dr. King in our state; and to promote the principles of nonviolence and equality among all citizens.  Our community outreach projects are designed to promote education, an appreciation for history, and to encourage youth to engage in positive leadership development and roles within their communities.

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission announces ambassadors to assist in creatively and interactively promoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message of nonviolence. Through in-person or virtual experiences, Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Nonviolence Ambassadors will utilize their celebrity and expansive platforms to assist the Commission in promoting nonviolence to diverse audiences. The delegated ambassadors will record public service announces to continue to raise awareness about violence and promote the King legacy.

Confirmed Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission National Nonviolence Ambassadors include:

• Eric “Victor Newman” Braeden, star of long running hit television series, “The Young and the Restless”
• Yoni and Solai Wicker, popularly known as “The Wicker Twinz,” social media influencers and internet sensations, 1.9 million followers
• Romeo Miller, entrepreneur, entertainer, son of legendary rapper, Percy “Master P” Miller

“We developed the Ambassadors program to increase the impact and footprint of the Commission’s outreach to educate audiences, especially youth, about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s principles of nonviolence, says DuShun Scarbrough, Executive Director. Through this program our goal is to build youth capacity by empowering them to solve share messages of nonviolence and embrace Kingian nonviolence principles.”

Program Partners: Arkansas Department of Human Services, KARK/FOX 16, Victory Over Violence, Power 92 Jams, The Praise Network, KOKY

LITTLE ROCK-The mission of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, a division of the Arkansas Department of Education, is to promote and preserve the life and legacy of Dr. King in our state; and to promote the principles of nonviolence and equality among all citizens.  Our community outreach projects are designed to promote education, an appreciation for history, and to encourage youth to engage in positive leadership development and roles within their communities.

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission announces ambassadors to assist in creatively and interactively promoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message of nonviolence. Through in-person or virtual experiences, Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Nonviolence Ambassadors will utilize their celebrity and expansive platforms to assist the Commission in promoting nonviolence to diverse audiences. The delegated ambassadors will record public service announces to continue to raise awareness about violence and promote the King legacy.

Confirmed Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission National Nonviolence Ambassadors include:

• Eric “Victor Newman” Braeden, star of long running hit television series, “The Young and the Restless”
• Yoni and Solai Wicker, popularly known as “The Wicker Twinz,” social media influencers and internet sensations, 1.9 million followers
• Romeo Miller, entrepreneur, entertainer, son of legendary rapper, Percy “Master P” Miller

“We developed the Ambassadors program to increase the impact and footprint of the Commission’s outreach to educate audiences, especially youth, about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s principles of nonviolence, says DuShun Scarbrough, Executive Director. Through this program our goal is to build youth capacity by empowering them to solve share messages of nonviolence and embrace Kingian nonviolence principles.”

Program Partners: Arkansas Department of Human Services, KARK/FOX 16, Victory Over Violence, Power 92 Jams, The Praise Network, KOKY

Executive Summary 

2022 Executive Summary II

1. Executive Summary II

1. Executive Summary II

2015 Executive Summary

2014 Executive Summary

2010-2011 Executive Summary

2011 Executive Summary

Download Executive Summary of the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission 2008-2009

2016 Executive Summary

1. Executive Summary

2013 Executive Summary

THANK YOU AEP FOUNDATION FOR YOUR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, a division of the Arkansas Department of Education, works with the communities of Arkansas, encouraging them to embrace alternatives to violence and to discover their common humanity through activities that stress racial and cultural diversity.  The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission implements programs that are designed to promote the tenets of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and honor his life and legacy.

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission announces it 2021 MLK Day of Service, King Holiday Day of Impact.  The event will be hosted virtually on the Commission’s various platforms, premiering globally on Dr. King’s birthday, Friday, January 15, 2021, on the following platforms:

Streaming on the following platforms Friday, January 15, 2021, 11:59 AM

Facebook: @AMLKC and @ArkansasED

Twitter: @AMLKC and @ArkansasED

Instagram: @AMLKC and @Arkansas_ED

YouTube: AMLKC and

www.ARKingDream.org

Arkansas Department of Education- ADE.Arkansas.gov.

Link to 2021 King Holiday Day of Impact

https://youtu.be/qURCRWBVULs

The program will livestream on the Arkansas Department of Education’s website on Monday, January 18, 2021 at 12:00 PM at the following link:

http://video1.aetn.org/adelive.html

@MLKDay Youth Service AmericaYouthService and The Allstate Foundation @AllstateFDN #MLKDay

Thank you @AllstateFDN for empowering youth to be our future leaders. With the $3,000 Youth Service America @AllstateFDN grant, we can provide young people with the critical social and emotional learning skills needed to succeed.

Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission announces

2021 King Holiday Day of Service Virtual Celebration

State Agency Honoring Dr. King kicks off twenty-eighth anniversary with virtual celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission announces service honorees, youth essay contest award winners

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, a division of the Arkansas Department of Education, works with the communities of Arkansas, encouraging them to embrace alternatives to violence and to discover their common humanity through activities that stress racial and cultural diversity.  The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission implements programs that are designed to promote the tenets of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and honor his life and legacy.

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission announces it 2021 MLK Day of Service, King Holiday Day of Impact.  The event will be hosted virtually on the Commission’s various platforms, premiering globally on Dr. King’s birthday, Friday, January 15, 2021, on the following platforms:

Streaming on the following platforms Friday, January 15, 2021, 11:59 AM

Facebook: @AMLKC and @ArkansasED

Twitter: @AMLKC and @ArkansasED

Instagram: @AMLKC and @Arkansas_ED

YouTube: AMLKC and

www.ARKingDream.org

Arkansas Department of Education- ADE.Arkansas.gov.

Link to 2021 King Holiday Day of Impact

https://youtu.be/qURCRWBVULs

THANK YOU AEP FOUNDATION FOR YOUR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, a division of the Arkansas Department of Education, works with the communities of Arkansas, encouraging them to embrace alternatives to violence and to discover their common humanity through activities that stress racial and cultural diversity.  The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission implements programs that are designed to promote the tenets of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and honor his life and legacy.

The Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission announces it 2021 MLK Day of Service, King Holiday Day of Impact.  The event will be hosted virtually on the Commission’s various platforms, premiering globally on Dr. King’s birthday, Friday, January 15, 2021, on the following platforms:

Streaming on the following platforms Friday, January 15, 2021, 11:59 AM

Facebook: @AMLKC and @ArkansasED

Twitter: @AMLKC and @ArkansasED

Instagram: @AMLKC and @Arkansas_ED

YouTube: AMLKC and

www.ARKingDream.org

Arkansas Department of Education- ADE.Arkansas.gov.

Link to 2021 King Holiday Day of Impact

https://youtu.be/qURCRWBVULs

The program will livestream on the Arkansas Department of Education’s website on Monday, January 18, 2021 at 12:00 PM at the following link:

http://video1.aetn.org/adelive.html

Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Executive Summary 2020

MLK Jr. Commission hosts largest 'Day of Service' event

Marielle Mohs, KTHV1:21 p.m. CST January 20, 2015

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Arkansas has a statistic to be proud of.  Monday's "Day of Service" event was the largest of its kind in the country.

Harrison high school students, Skyler Caldwell and Christian Gillies, attended the event.  They hope to find ways to keep Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy alive in the future.

"It is great to look back on history and what he's done, but to really look forward and try to make our society a better place," said Gillies.  "Continuing on that dream that he had and capitalizing on what he did and better our own future as a society," said Caldwell.

Monday's event brought together state and city leaders and a variety of races and faiths to celebrate Dr. King's life.

"It's just an opportunity for people of all different background and beliefs to come together, and talk about what we have in common," said Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin.

The Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission made the event focus around volunteering, encouraging people to engage in their communities, not just today, but for the entire year

"It's a day on, not a day off.  Yes, it's a federal holiday and folks get the day off to go ahead from work and everything but we want folks to get out and do something for their communities," said commission Executive Director DuShun Scarbrough.

The commission chose Eric Braeden, an actor on the CBS soap opera "Young and the Restless," to be the keynote speaker.

"You know how do you get folks to feel inclusive?  You bring someone that has a civil rights tie you wouldn't have thought of, and use it as a platform to bring everyone out," said Scarbrough.

Braeden's speech focused around his experiences assimilating as an immigrant during the time of Dr. King.

"I see this from the perspective of someone who came from another country.  Age of 18, as an immigrant with nothing in my pocket, but that experience is nothing compared to that of an African American," said Braeden.

Braeden said he is hopeful for the future, with the momentum of positive work from events like this each year.

"Volunteering at a young age is great.  That is what I would like to bring back to our community.  If we can keep that moving on," said Gillies.

Retrieved from http://www.thv11.com/story/news/local/benton-bryant/2015/01/19/largest-day-of-service-event-nationwide/22015879/